The King of Tollywood, Chiranjeevi, turns 59 today! Photo: DC Archive
Here's wishing Chiranjeevi a very happy birthday!
But the superstar is not all about acting and politics. He has supported to tackle social issues and even set up his own 'Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust'.
In 2008, the actor turned over a leaf and stepped into politics, forming the Praja Rajyam Party. In 2012, the superstar became a Union Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism.
He believes his superstar son, Ram Charan, to be the next 'Chiranjeevi' of Tollywood!
He also received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award. He married Surekha Konidala in 1980 and they have three children – Sushmita, Ram Charan, and Sreeja.
His performance in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada movies made him an established actor who reigned the South Indian movie industry for years.
He made a guest appearance in 'Magadheera', his last movie, which had his son Ram Charan as the lead actor. Chiranjeevi is the only actor from Tollywood to receive seven Filmfare Best actor awards.
In 2006, he gave yet another powerful performance as a Major from the Indian Army in the movie 'Stalin'. Salman Khan is currently making a remake of the movie.
In 2002, he received the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his movie 'Indra'. He acted beside Sonali Bendre, and Arti Agarwal.
He made his Bollywood debut in 1990, opposite Juhi Chawla in the movie 'Pratibandh'.
His performance in the movie, 'Rudra Veena' was raved by critics and the movie went on to receive several National awards.
In 1985, he won this first ever Filmfare Award for Best Actor for 'Subhalekha'.
The 80's proved to be lucky for him with back-to-back hit movies.
He began his career as an antihero and starred as a villain in 'Ranuva Veeran' alongside Rajinikanth.
He first starred in the 1979 movie 'Punadhi Raallu'.
Actor Chiranjeevi
His real name is Konidela Siva Shankara Vara Prasad but he adopted the name 'Chiranjeevi' when he entered the film industry.
Chiranjeevi was born on 22 August, 1955, in Andhra Pradesh, to Late Sri Venkat Rao and Srimathi Anjana Devi.