Chiranjeevi (born Konidala Siva Sankara Vara Prasad) is an Indian actor, producer, politician and a member of the Indian National Congress. He was the Minister of State with independent charge for the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Prior to politics, Chiranjeevi has attended the Madras Film Institute, and had worked primarily in Telugu cinema, including Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in 1978, in the film Punadhirallu. However, Pranam Khareedu was released earlier at the box office.

 

Known for his dancing skills, in a film career spanning more than thirty years, Chiranjeevi is starred in 149 feature films. He was the guest of honor at the 59th Academy Awards. In the same year, he was starred in Swayam Krushi, premiered at the Moscow International Film Festival. In 1988, he co-produced Rudraveena, which won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. He has won four state Nandi Awards and nine Filmfare Awards South. In 2006, Chiranjeevi was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, for his contributions towards Indian cinema.