This actor has carved an extraordinary path in the Indian film industry, remaining a powerful and relevant figure across generations. His career, which began in 1978, is a testament to his sheer hard work, determination, and raw talent. With his powerful screen presence, charismatic dance moves, and raw energy, he quickly became a household name and a revered icon. We are talking about none other than Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi.
Chiranjeevi’s journey to superstardom
He marked his debut with the 1978 movie ‘Pranam Khareedu’. His first film as the lead actor was ‘Punadhirallu’. His success was anything but overnight. The actor’s dedication to the Telugu industry led him to national fame.In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he achieved a remarkable streak of 14 consecutive hits in a single year, earning him the title of ‘The New Money Machine’ of Indian cinema.
Chiranjeevi was the first actor to charge Rs 1 crore as fee
According to The Week, when Amitabh Bachchan was on a hiatus in the early 1990s, Chiranjeevi emerged as “India’s most bankable star.” With that, he made the decision to charge Rs 1 crore per movie, which set a new precedent for other legends of South Indian cinema like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Later, reportedly, Big B also followed suit and became the first Hindi star to charge that amount.
Did you know Chiranjeevi is a Guinness World Record holder?
In 2024, the Guinness Book of World Records titled him the ‘Most prolific star in the Indian film industry.’ According to the report, the ‘Indra: The Tiger’ actor has a record of featuring in over 537 songs, having more than 24,000 dance moves in his almost 5-decade career.
On the work front
The actor is set to star in a movie titled ‘Vishwambhara’, directed by Mallidi Vassishta. The film also features Trisha Krishnan, Kunal Kapoor, and Ashika Ranganath. Made on a reported budget of Rs 250 crore, the film is scheduled to hit theaters in 2026. Go to Source
