Chiranjeevi :

Megastar (Born: Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad) on 22 August 1955, is an Indian film actor and a politician. He appeared primarily in Telugu films along with a few Hindi films. After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi made his acting debut in Punadhirallu (1978) Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier though. His performance in Khaidi (1983) and Swayam Krushi (1987) got him recognition the latter winning the Nandi Award – his first major award. He subsequently played a variety of character types his film roles along with his screen persona contributed to a change in the concept of a Telugu film hero.

Rudraveena (1988), for which Director K. Balachander won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration was produced by Chiranjeevi. The film also made Chiranjeevi win his second Nandi Award for Best Actor. For Muta Mesthri (1993) and Sneham Kosam (1999), he won Filmfare Awards. For his performance in Indra (2003), he won the Filmfare Award and the Nandi Award. These accomplishments established him as a leading actor of Telugu cinema. His last film in a leading role was in Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007).

In 2008, he entered politics by forming the Praja Rajyam Party. In the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, Chiranjeevi was elected as a member of the State Assembly from Tirupati constituency. He led the Praja Rajyam Party to emerge as the third largest party in the same election. Popularly known as Megastar in the media, Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, Indias third highest civilian award. In 2006, he was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Andhra University. Chiranjeevi is married to Surekha, the daughter of erstwhile comedian Allu Ramalingaiah. They have two daughters and a son, Ram Charan, who is an actor in the Tollywood.

Acting career:

Early beginnings (1978–1982) : Siva Shankara Varaprasad was born as the eldest of three sons of Konidela Anjana Devi and Konidela Venkat Rao. Varaprasad was quite interested in acting at a very young age. After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi joined the Madras Film Institute in 1977. Since his family worshipped the Anjaneya, a Hindu God, his mother advised him to get the screen name of Chiranjeevi. Upon completion of his film training, he started his acting career with Punadhirallu (1978), however Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier.Immediately thereafter, he got an opportunity to work in Mana Voori Pandavulu that was directed by Bapu (artist),Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana.

This film, which was based on the feudal system in the Demographics of India,Indian society, helped Chiranjeevi to get the recognition.Tayaramma-Bangarayya (1979), I Love You (1979 film) and director K. Balachander s (Idi Katha Kaadu) (1979) brought his acting talents to the fore. In 1979, Chiranjeevi had eight major film releases. He followed up this trend in 1980 where 14 of his films released at the box-office.With his films like Punnami Naagu (1980), for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) Filmfare Award for Best Acting, and A. Kodandarami Reddys Nyayam Kavali (1981), his performances were noticed by the critics.

The audiences too developed a liking for his ease in dance movements and swashbuckling fights. For his role in Mondi Ghatam (1982), his unique style of acting was much appreciated by the critics. Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya (1982), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, not only strengthened his position as a big star but also brought him lot of laurels. By 1982, he had appeared in almost 50 films. Within two years of his entry into the film industry, he married Surekha, daughter of well-known comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah.