Chiranjeevi

Konidela Chiranjeevi is one of the most popular stars of Telugu cinema, and a philanthropist and former Union minister. He was named for the Padma Vibhushan in 2024 in the field of art, from Andhra Pradesh ^[1].

Actor

He was born on 1 August 1955 and, coming from a modest background, began acting in 1978 ^[2]. Known for his dancing, comic timing and screen presence, he has acted in 155 films over 45 years, mostly in Telugu ^[2]. He has won three Nandi awards and nine Filmfare best actor awards, and was named Indian Film Personality of the Year at the International Film Festival of India in 2022 ^[2].

Giving back

In 1998 he founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, which has encouraged his fans to take up social causes ^[2]. Over 25 years the trust has collected and donated more than ten lakh units of blood, and has arranged corneal transplants for more than ten thousand people ^[2]. During the Covid-19 pandemic he set up 42 free oxygen banks in the Telugu states ^[2]. He has also campaigned on child labour, AIDS awareness and polio eradication ^[2].

Public life

Chiranjeevi became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and that October joined the Union government as Minister of State for Tourism with independent charge ^[2]. He returned to films in 2016 after a gap of ten years ^[2].