Chiranjeevi (Telugu: చిరంజీవి, (real name: Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad Konidela), born [1] on 22 August 1955), is a Telugu film actor, nicknamed "MegaStar"[2] by his fans and the press. The Government of India honoured him with the third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan. he also received three Nandi(state award)awards and seven Film Fare Actor awards. He announced his formal entry into politics on in August 2008 by launching the Praja Rajyam Party at Tirupati in presence of a big gathering from every corner of the state and participated in 2009 elections. He is a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly representing Tirupati.
Chiranjeevi married Surekha, the daughter of veteran comedian Allu Ramalingaiah.[citation needed] He has two daughters, Sushmitha and Sreeja, and a son, Ram Charan Teja
Chiranjeevi was a student at the Madras Film Institute and an amateur stage actor. Before completing his training at the film institute, he attended auditions and selected for the film Punaadi Raallu (1978)[3]. However, Pranam Khareedu was his first film released in theaters. His first public performance was in the Republic Day parade ballet of Andhra Pradesh on 26 January 1976[3]. In the film Paleru Narsayya, he acted without makeup and impressed the prominent members of the industry[3]. Famous directors Bapu and K Balachandar, who had attended the preview of this film, offered the roles in their respective movies. In Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu he acted in a negative role, but in Bapu's Manavoori Pandavulu he played one important role. For this movie he received a remuneration of Rs.1116. Towards the end of 1979, Chirajeevi started gaining pace in the industry with eight releases in the year.[4] In Kothala Rayudu, a film released during this period, he played the title role for the first time. In 1980, a record fourteen films starring Chiranjeevi hit the theaters, establishing a solid base for him in the industry.[4] In the next two years Chiranjeevi acted in several films in leading
Chiranjeevi started his political party "Praja Rajyam" on 26 August 2008 amid huge fanfare at Avilala grounds, Tirupathi. Around 17 lakh people attended the party launch meeting. Chiranjeevi stated that Social justice as the main agenda of his party and he proved it by giving 104 MLA tickets to the backward sections in Andhrapradesh including a poor tribal woman 'Tupakula munemma'. He contested in 2009 general elections and won from Tirupati constituency as MLA in Andhra Pradesh. But the party got a major drubbing and could not make any major wins. Chiranjeevi himself contested from two different constituencies(Palakollu and Tirupati (city))in 2009 elections and lost in Palakollu. Praja rajyam got 18 MLA seats in the 2009 general elections. On December 10, 2009, Chiranjeevi changed his stand on telangana issue and stated that he wishes to see United AP forever. In May,2010, he conducted a mass educative rally in the coastal districts of AP for attaining national status for the prestigious 'Polavaram project'.
