21st August 20043

Chiranjeevi! In Telugu language this phrase means to live forever. It is a blessing that an older person bestows upon a younger one. For a telugu person, Chiranjeevi is a blessing bestowed by the "Kalamatalli" herself. We should consider ourselves lucky to be living during a time when Chiru was/is ruling the industry like an emperor. Economists mention that there cannot be monopoly in this era; I bet they have not seen the Telugu film industry since mid eighties.

Shiva Sankara Vara Prasad a.k.a Chiranjeevi a.k.a Chiru, born in an ordinary family, went on to become a role model for millions with his hard-work, talent and humbleness. He had made plans to become a cost and work accountant after completing his graduation however destiny had other plans for him; accounting industry's loss became film industry's gain. Chiru's film debut began with a movie titled "Manavoori pandavulu" and his name in this movie was "Paartha". His role got a good recognition and thereafter he got significant roles in movies like Punaadi rallu, Idi kadha kaadu. The latter was directed by K. Balachander, a legendary director. Chiru acted in a negative role and he delivered the goods with an astonishing performance and matured dialog delivery. Chiru had other hits like Oorikichina Maata, Nakili Manishi, Tayaramma Bangarayya, Mogudu Kavali (a good musical hit). These movies marked the upcoming of a young actor, who had oodles of talent.

Chiru had some memorable movies like Intlo Ramiah Veedhilo Krishnayya, Subhalekha, Manchu pallaki, Magamaharaaju, Devantakudu, Abhilasha. He got an opportunity to act with class and mass directors. These movies apart from being commercial hits also made Chiru, a financially viable hero in the industry. His performance in Abhilasha is remembered by movie lovers to this day. Khaidi changed his life as an actor and he became a force to reckon with. This movie had Chiru perform a very intense role and he shocked the industry with his mind-boggling action sequences and body language. A leading film magazine opined that Chiru was the only actor in that generation (mid-eighties) who could effectively use his eyes in portraying expressions.

At a time when dancing meant an old hero running around trees with young girls, Chiru showed the industry what dancing really was. In my opinion, Chiru is the greatest dancer in the Indian film industry not because he dances well but his dances have grace and elegance. It is normal that when a lead pair is dancing on the screen, men ogle at the heroine and women look at the hero but Sridevi (post JVAS) mentioned that when Chiru is dancing on the screen, men and women watch Chiru. Sridevi acted with lots of heroes but I wonder why she only praised Chiru and no other actor? Also, Chiru became a role-model to actors like Hrithik, Govinda and Tamil star Vijay, who were sportive enough to praise Chiru and his dancing abilities in their respective interviews.

After Khaidi, Chiru had numerous hits. I will run out of energy writing and talking about them. He always tried to satiate the artist in him even after emerging as one of the greatest mass heroes ever produced. He performed roles like Chantabbai, Swayamkrushi, Aradhana and Rudraveena. These movies proved that Chiru is one of the rarest mass heroes who can actually act!

With Jagadeka veerudu atiloka sundari, Gang leader and Gharana Mogudu breaking all rules of gravity, he became the face of Telugu cinema and showed the country the potential of the Telugu film industry. Chiru went on to become the highest paid actor of the nation and ended up on the India today cover page (national edition), in an article titled - "Is he bigger than Bachchan?" It was a cover page editorial section followed by a 5 page article and he was the first south Indian regional film star to get this honor. He made his foray into Hindi and acted in a couple of movies like Pratibandh and Aaj kaa gundaraj, which became respectable hits.

Mid-nineties were not too kind to him and he did not have golden run at the BO. His movies still commanded the same business potential and openings however he did not get a movie good enough to satiate his sky-high image. He took a sabbatical and returned with hat-trick hits: Hitler, Master and Bavagaru bagunnara. The music of Choodalani vundi became a rage, especially among children, who sang away "ramma chilakamma" to glory. He bid goodbye to old millennium with Annayya, another mass blockbuster. His career took another turn with Indra and Tagore re-defining market potential of Telugu movies. Anji his latest release will be remembered by Telugu film industry for its graphics and Chiru should be admired for accepting such a unique script. As a true fan, I am waiting for him to shower rain of entertainment in his forthcoming Shankar Dada MBBS.

Off-Screen

Apart from being a megastar on silver screen, Chiru is a man with a golden heart. He started a charitable trust named "Chiranjeevi charitable trust" and made his fans partners in social welfare activities. Chiru has done his bit during Kargil and is proving to be a real-life hero for many bright and brilliant yet poor students. Lots of detractors use CCT as a basis to carp evil at Chiru but they forget about other trusts formed for "public welfare" by others.

It is natural that a person develops arrogance when he achieves a higher position. Chiru is one actor who never ever developed this arrogance. With each success he became more humble and down-to-earth; a virtue that made him a blessed individual.

He is an actor who encourages new talent and appreciates other actors. This probably is the reason why 90% of the new comers regard him as their role model. Umpteen times he is known to have congratulated younger and upcoming actors on their success. He enjoys tremendous camaraderie with all his co-stars. He respects his older generation and is respected by his younger generation.

Guru garu, I wish you a very happy birthday and would like to thank you for being a role model to me and many others. You are one of the fewest actors in India who obtained fans and their TRUE adulation & affection because of the strength in your character, talent, performance and humility. I consider myself fortunate to be known as your fan. As a true fan, I pray that all your dreams turn into a reality and you achieve each and every thing you ever aspired for.

Thank you!

Sreekanth/Megapowerstar

Read another article written by Sreekanth for the last year's Chiranjeevi's birthday

Also read Sreya Sunil's article on Chiranjeevi

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