Chiranjeevi's Birthday: Story Behind How The Veteran Became Megastar From Supreme Hero & Who Gave The Monicker

Telugu film industry's most favourite legend Chiranjeevi Konidela aka megastar turned 67 today. The veteran has been receiving so much love and affection from his admirers, fans, relatives, and family members on this special day.

Being born into a non-filmy family, out of sheer hard work and great will power, Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad emerged into Megastar Chiranjeevi, establishing a solid and indestructible kingdom in the Tollywood.

The megastar gave rise to about ten heroes from his family, including three tier A hereos. It is an unspoken and unwritten norm that Chiranjeevi is considered as the first person of the Telugu film industry.

Story Behind Chiranjeevi Emerging As A 'Megastar'

Chiranjeevi began doing key roles but of not protagonist's in the early days. He played villain, sadistic husband, side kick roles before emerging as a lead actor with positive strides. With a movie titled 'Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya, helmed by Kodi Ramakrishna, Chiranjeevi became a main lead actor in protagonist's role. With Khaidi in 1983, in which he co-starred with Bhanu Priya, Chiranjeevi established his stardom and supremacy as a new age protagonist.

Subsequently, with his hard work and commitment, Chiranjeevi earned a remarkable position in Tollywood there by becoming a 'Supreme' hero. Until the term megastar came into existence in regard to Chiranjeevi, the title cards of his film referred him as 'Supreme Hero.' There is also a song called 'Supreme Hero' picturized on him.

Producer KS Rama Rao, who made a number of phenomenal movies, called Chiranjeevi as 'Megastar.' The actor was in great form then, and the duo collaborated for the first time for a movie titled 'Abhilasha.' The movie was a blockbuster and ran for over 100 days in several centres. The filmmaker and the actor then worked together for films like Rakshasudu, Challenge and Marana Mrudangam, etc.

As these films scored hit after hit for the actor, the term megastar became his monicker. From Marana Mrudangam, the titled card changed from Supreme Hero to Megastar.

The monicker is now the most used in the Tollywood as the Konidela family is one of the major and biggest families of the fraternity. Their family is referred to as mega family. Naga Babu is called mega brother, Varun Tej, Sai Dharam Tej, and Vaisshnav Tej are referred to as mega heroes. Until the arrival of Klin Kaara, Nagababu's daughter Niharika was referred to as the mega princess. Ram Charan became 'Mega Power Star' by borrowing Mega from his father, and Power from his uncle, Pawan Kalyan.