Chiranjeevi

Some Lesser Known Facts About Chiranjeevi

• Does Chiranjeevi drink alcohol?: Yes

• Chiranjeevi is an ardent devotee of Lord Hanuman.

• He learned acting from M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute, Tharamani, Chennai, India.

• He started his acting career in 1978 with the role of ‘Narasimha’ in the Telugu film ”Pranam Khareedu.”

• In 2006, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema.

• He was also presented with an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.

• He was the first actor from South India to be invited to the Oscars ceremony in 1987.

• In 1992, the Telugu film ”Gharana Mogudu” made him the highest paid actor in India during the time with Rs. 1.25 crore.

• He also worked in the Hollywood film ”The Return of the Thief of Baghdad”, but the film was shelved for unknown reasons.

• In 1998, he founded the ”Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust” (CCT), which includes Chiranjeevi Blood & Eye Banks and is the state’s largest recipient of Eye & Blood Donations.

• Apart from being an actor, he is also a singer and has sung several songs such as Chai Chai of film ”Mrugaraju” (2001).

• He gave his voice for various Telugu films, namely ”Hanuman” (Animated, 2005), ”Varudu” (2010), ”Rudhramadevi” (2015), and ”Ghazi” (2017).

• In 2002, he was awarded the Samman award for being the highest Income tax payer for the assessment year 1999-2000 by the minister of state for Finance, Government of India.

• In 2008, he started a political party, ”Praja Rajyam”, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

• In 2011, he merged his 30-month-old Praja Rajyam Party with the Indian National Congress.

• In 2014, he was awarded the International Face of Indian Cinema at the 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards.

• He is the first Indian actor to start his own personal website.

• He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, in 2024.