“Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Birthday Approaches: Discover Lesser-Known Facts About the Godfather Star”

Even today, Megastar Chiranjeevi continues to dominate the box office, competing fiercely with younger heroes. While many believe his debut film was Pranam Khareedu due to its release date, his actual debut was in Punadhirallu. Early in his career, he took on villainous roles, and his performances as an anti-hero in films like I Love You and Idi Katha Kaadu garnered significant acclaim.

Chiranjeevi was a junior to Rajinikanth at the Madras Film Institute, and during the 1980s, he was a prolific actor, releasing films almost monthly. His popularity extended beyond regional cinema, and he built a massive fan base. Notably, his film Swayamkrushi, directed by K. Viswanath, was showcased at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1987. Following its success, Chiranjeevi was recognized as one of India’s highest-paid actors, with accolades from Filmfare and India Today dubbing him “bigger than Bachchan,” a reference to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. The Week even labeled him “the new money machine.”

Chiranjeevi was also the first South Indian actor invited to the Academy Awards, marking a significant achievement. His film Kodama Simham (1990) was the first South Indian film to be dubbed in English, and Gharana Mogudu (1992) is celebrated as the first South Indian film to earn over ₹10 crores at the box office.

Additionally, Chiranjeevi pioneered the use of personal websites for actors, launching one of the first to share photos, film updates, and interact with fans. This was a significant innovation before social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became popular.