If Telugu cinema were a book, there is one actor who would not be just a chapter, but would take up almost the entire book. A name that resonates with generations, this actor is none other than Chiranjeevi, a megastar, a phenomenon.
His journey to becoming the megastar of Telugu cinema is a story of grit, charisma, and unmatched screen presence. Chiranjeevi redefined commercial cinema, carved out a space no one could fill, and became a beacon for countless aspiring actors across India.
For today’s generation, the name Chiranjeevi might evoke titles like Godfather (2022), Waltair Veerayya (2023), and Bhola Shankar (2023), but for anyone who witnessed his prime, he was a symbol of cinematic euphoria. No hero in India has ever experienced the sheer hysteria that surrounded a Chiranjeevi release.
When a film of his hit theatres, the frenzy began a week, sometimes even 10 days, in advance. It wasn’t thousands, but lakhs of people who showed up at his public events, chanting his name and pushing boundaries of stardom.
Chiranjeevi didn’t just elevate Telugu cinema, he revolutionised it. He brought glamour, mass appeal, and box office power that forced even the north Indian industries to sit up and take notice. Every actor dreams of sharing screen space with him. Directors and producers believe working with him brings luck, and distributors bet big on his name. Even his flops raked in collections that others could only dream of during their hits.
He was India’s first hero to command a whopping Rs 1.25 crore as remuneration, a number that was unimaginable back then. He gave the Telugu audience countless industry hits and trend-setting blockbusters. His influence wasn’t just regional, Chiranjeevi became a name known across the country.
Chiranjeevi made a grand comeback with Khaidi No. 150 (2017), which joined the Rs 150 crore club and shattered records. But the films that followed had mixed responses. Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019), despite its ambition, only fared average at the box office. Waltair Veerayya performed well commercially but was widely seen as cringeworthy. Films like Godfather and Bhola Shankar led to a shift in public perception, with some voices even suggesting that perhaps it was time for the megastar to step away from films.
Yet, the fire in Chiranjeevi seems far from fading. He is now working on Vishwambhara, a massive project directed by Mallidi Vasishtha with a reported budget of Rs 200 crore. Set to release on May 9, the expectations aren’t sky-high, but fans are hopeful for a redemption arc.
Chiranjeevi also has a film lined up with director Anil Ravipudi, which is slated for release during Sankranti next year. The movie is currently in the pre-production stage. Interestingly, there’s buzz that Tollywood’s rising star Karthikeya is being considered for the role of the antagonist. A die-hard fan of Chiranjeevi, Karthikeya once got emotional and touched the megastar’s feet during a public event. Now, the makers are planning to cast him as the villain who betrays Chiranjeevi’s character. Karthikeya already has experience playing negative roles in two previous films.