Biography

Konidela Chiranjeevi (born Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad; 22 August 1955) is an Indian actor, film producer, and former politician who predominantly works in Telugu cinema, alongside Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada films. He trained in acting at the Madras Film Institute. He made his acting debut in 1978 with *Pranam Khareedu* and appeared in the action drama *Khaidi* (1983). His filmography includes *Subhalekha* (1982), *Vijetha* (1985), *Swayamkrushi* (1987), *Rudraveena* (1988), *Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari* (1990), *Gang Leader* (1991), *Gharana Mogudu* (1992), *Aapadbandhavudu* (1992), *Mutha Mestri* (1993), *Hitler* (1997), *Choodalani Vundi* (1998), *Sneham Kosam* (1999), *Indra* (2002), *Tagore* (2003), *Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.* (2004), *Khaidi No. 150* (2017), *Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy* (2019), and *Waltair Veerayya* (2023). He has received the Padma Vibhushan (2024), the Padma Bhushan (2006), the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award (2022), four Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. He founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust in 1998 and served as the Union Minister of State for Tourism from 2012 to 2014.