One of the biggest icons of Telugu films, Chiranjeevi began his career playing the antihero and steadily turned into a leading man by the mid 80s. At the peak of his career, he was the highest paid artist of Indian cinema with mega hits like Jagadeeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) and Gharana Mogudu (1992) rolling off his conveyor belt with ease. He holds the credit of starring in eight of the highest grossing films of Telugu cinema. He is known for his political and philanthropic work too. Although not as active in films as before, his name continues to be a force to be reckoned with. This article profiles five of his best remembered performances from his active years.
Subalekha (1982)
This film marked the first collaboration between Chiranjeevi and K Vishwanath and was based on a famous play named Kanyasulkam by Gurajada Apparao and dealt with the subject of dowry and its social demerits. Chiranjeevi played a multifaceted waiter in the film, who strives to save the heroine (played by Sumalata) from the evils of dowry. The film was a major commercial success, and both Chiranjeevi and K Vishwanath won awards for Best Actor – Telugu and Best Director – Telugu respectively at the Filmfare Awards South ceremony.
Vijetha (1985)
Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy, Vijetha featured Chiranjeevi, Bhanupriya, and J. V. Somayajulu in key roles. The plot of the film was similar to Saaheb (1985) which featured Anil Kapoor in the lead role. It also marked little Allu Arjun’s first film appearance. Chiranjeevi’s performance as the upcoming football player who sacrifices his dreams for the family won him another Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
Swayamkrushi (1987)
The second collaboration between the Mega Star and K Vishwanath, Swayamkrushi was also written and directed by the latter. In the film, Chiranjeevi played a self-made, self-taught cobbler who goes from rags to riches and even manages to empower the love of his life (played by Vijayashanti). Swayamkrushi was screened at the International Film Festival of India, the Asia Pacific Film Festival, and at the special mention section at the Moscow International Film Festival (it was dubbed in Russian). Vijayashanti’s performance fetched her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu, while Chiranjeevi walked away with a Nandi Award for Best Actor for this performance.
Aapadbandhavudu (1992)
By the early 1990s, Chiranjeevi had become a star of gigantic proportions, and the first actor in India to charge upwards of Rs 1 crore for a film. His films had become vehicles designed to cater to his screen persona and cash in on his star appeal. In the midst of all this, the Mega Star still found time to team up with K Vishwanath for the third time in what would become one of his most acclaimed work of all time: Aapadbandhavudu. It also featured Meenakshi Sheshadri, Jandhyala, Sarath Babu, and Geetha in supporting roles. Despite being a moderate commercial success, the film won universal acclaim and walked away with five state Nandi Awards, including the Nandi Award for Best Actor for Chiranjeevi. He also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for this film. Aapadbandhavudu was screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the Asia Pacific Film Festival, and the AISFM Film Festival.
Muta Meshtri (1993)
Yet another collaboration between the Mega Star and A. Kodandarami Reddy, this film starred Chiranjeevi, Meena, Roja and Sharat Saxena in prominent roles. A fine blend of action and drama, the film shows how the male protagonist initially joins politics to clean up the bad elements of society, but ultimately embarks on a revenge spree when his sister dies because of an evil underworld gangster. A commercial success fueled by the Mega Star’s drawing power, Muta Meshtri won him the Cinema Express Award for Best Telugu Actor and also the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
Sneham Kosam (1999)
Upwards of 40 by the late 90s, Chiranjeevi now sensibly accepted roles that allowed him to showcase both maturity and virility on the screen. This film, written and directed by K S Ravikumar, catered to the Mega Star’s image in addition to allowing him to play both the young hero and his graying father in what is otherwise a typical family entertainer. Yet another successful feather in Chiranjeevi’s cap, Sneham Kosam fetched him generally positive reviews and another Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
Indra (2002)
This B Gopal directorial went on to become both a box office bonanza and a cult film in the Hindi belt, thanks to its multiple runs on television. Chiranjeevi played the hero, while Aarthi Agarwal, Sonali Bendre, Mukesh Rishi, Sivaji and Prakash Raj played supporting roles in the film. The plot follows the journey of the eponymous hero as he embarks on a quest to make peace between two families fighting over the water problem in their district. In a bid to solve this crisis, he even agrees to marry a girl from the rival family. Chiranjeevi’s star act brought him both the Nandi Award for Best Actor as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
