Chiranjeevi (b. 1955)

Macho 80s Telugu megastar. Born in Narasapuram taluk, AP, as Shivashankara Varaprasad. Student at the Madras Film Institute and amateur stage actor. First public performance in the Republic Day parade ballet of AP (1976). Early films with Bapu (Manavoori Pandavulu) and K. Balachander (Idi Kathakadu, 47 Rojulu, and more recently, Rudraveena, produced by his brother-in-law and regular producer Allu Aravind). Routine career in late 70s films was transformed by the spectacular success of his negative role in Kodi Ramakrishna’s Intilo Ramayya Vidhilo Krishnayya. Developed his main reputation in violent gangster thrillers, a genre pioneered by A. Kodandarami Reddy (Khaidi, Goonda, Challenge, Vijeta, Marana Mridangam, Trinetrudu etc.), Vijaya Bapineedu (Khaidi No. 786, Gang Leader) and more recently, Raviraja Pinisetty (Jwala, Chakravarthi). Much of his character impersonates the ‘rowdysheeter’, a legal term of colonial vintage, indicating a potentially violent person who’s on a police list and gets rounded up when violence is anticipated. The term is referred to in titles like B. Gopal’s State Rowdy. Hindi début with Pratibandh, followed by Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, both directed by Pinisetty (aka Ravi Raja), have established him as one of the highest-paid stars in the country in the early 90s. Alluda Majaaka led to a major censorship controversy because of its alleged lewdness and recourse to violence.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1978: Punadhirallu; Pranam Khareedu; Manavoori Pandavulu; Thayaramma Bangaraiah; Priya; 1979: Kukkakatuku Cheppu Debba; Idi Kathakadu; I Love You; Kotha Alludu; Shri Rama Bantu; Kotala Rayudu; 1980: Kothapeda Rowdy; Chandi Priya; Arani Mantulu; Jatara; Punnani Mogudu; Nakili Manishi; Love in Singapore; Prema Tarangulu; Mogudu Kavali; Raktha Bandham; Tathaiah Prema Leelalu; 1981: Ranuva Veeran; Rani Kasularangamma; Adavallu Meeku Joharlu; Parvati Parameshwarulu; Todu Dongalu; Tiruguleni Manishi; Prema Natakam; Nyayam Kavali; Urikichina Mata; Rani Kasularangamma; 47 Rojulu; Sirirasthu Subhamasthu; Chattaniki Kallulevu; Kirai Rowdylu; Intilo Ramayya Vidhilo Krishnayya; 1982: Bandipotu Simham; Shubhalekha; Idi Pellantara; Seeta Devi; Radha My Darling; Tingu Rangadu; Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu; Billa Ranga; Yamakinkarudu; Mondighatam; Manchu Pallaki; 1983: Bandhalu Anubandhalu; Prema Pichollu; Palletooru Monagallu; Abhilasha (Tel); Alayashikharam; Sivudu Sivudu Sivudu; Puli Bebbuli; Goodachari No. 1; Maha Maharaju; Rosha Gadu; Maa Inti Premayanam; Simhapuri Simham; Khaidi; Mantrigari Viyyankudu; Sangharshana; Hero (Tel); Yuddha Bhoomi; 1984: Allulostunnaru; Goonda; Devanthakudu; Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu; Challenge; Intiguttu; Naagu; Agni Gundam; Rustom; 1985: Chattamtho Poratham; Donga; Chiranjeevi; Jwala; Puli; Raktha Sindooram; Adavi Donga; Vijeta; Kirathakudu; 1986: Kondaveeti Raja; Mahadheerudu; Veta; Chantabbayi; Rakshasudu; Dhairyavanthudu; Chanakya Sapatham; 1987: Donga Mogudu; Aradhana; Chakravarthi; Pasivadi Pranam; Swayamkrushi; Jebu Donga; Manchi Donga; 1988: Rudraveena; Yamudiki Mogudu; Khaidi No. 786; Marana Mridangam; Trinetrudu; 1989: Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu; State Rowdy; Lankeshwarudu; Kondaveeti Donga; 1990: Jagadeka Veerudu Atilokasundari; Kodama Simham; Raja Vikramarka; Pratibandh; Stuvartpuram Police Station; 1991: Gang Leader; Rowdy Alludu; Aaj Ka Goonda Raj; 1992: Gharana Mogudu; Mutha Mestri; Apathbandhavudu; 1993: Shivanna; Military Mava; Mechanic Alludu; 1994: Mugguru Monagallu; S.P. Parashuram; Gentleman; 1995: Alluda Majaaka; Big Boss.

Actor