Hyderabad:

Megastar Chiranjeevi has clarified that though he has been seeing hobnobbing with powerful politicians in recent past, he is not returning to politics.

“I will stay away from politics life-long. I will stay closely connected with films. Some people are having doubts whether I will return to politics, am I getting closer to politicians? Are they trying to get close to him? No need for any doubt. Except with the intent of service, am not in it. There is Pawan Kalyan to fulfill my vision and mission in politics, and to serve the people,” the megastar said.

Chiranjeevi’s brother Pawan Kalyan is Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister. The siblings are close. Chiranjeevi has also been seen in public functions meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After launching his Praja Rajyam Party in 2008 and getting 16 per cent vote-share and 18 assembly seats in 2009, Chiranjeevi merged his party with the Congress and eventually quit politics.

At the same event, his public comments about wanting a grandson have sparked fresh controversy.

“When I go home, surrounded by my grand-daughters, I feel like the warden of a ladies’ hostel. I tell Charan, this time have a boy to continue our legacy. But I am afraid it may be a girl again. Lovely children,” Chiranjeevi said, referring to his grand-daughters.

The light-hearted comment at the pre-release event of a film “Brahma Anandam” has been seen by critics as sexist and patriarchal. Many even said he had not wanted to have a granddaughter.

Chiranjeevi has stayed mostly away from any controversy, always coming across as a family man, as a most loving son to his mother, a devoted husband to his wife Surekha, and playing the father-like figure to his younger brother Pawan Kalyan. 

He in fact vocally supported Actor Trisha and condemned sexist remarks made by actor Mansoor Ali Khan in November 2023.

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has come out in support of Telugu actor Allu Arjun after he was arrested in connection with the Sandhya theater stampede case in which one woman died. While promoting his film, Varun Dhawan said “blame can’t be placed on just one person.”

“Safety protocols can’t be solely the responsibility of an actor. We can inform people around us. The incident was tragic and I express my condolences, but blame can’t be placed on just one person,” he said.

#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan | On the arrest of actor Allu Arjun over the death of a woman in Sandhya theatre, actor Varun Dhawan says, “The actor cannot take the sole responsibility of the safety protocols. You can only tell the people around you…The incident was tragic. I… pic.twitter.com/mGYzgQbflt

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2024

Reportedly, actor and former minister Konidela Chiranjeevi cancelled his shoot for Vishwabhara and visited Allu Arjun’s house to express solidarity.

For the unaccustomed, on December 4, Allu Arjun and music director Devi Sr Prasad made a surprise visit to the Sandhya theatre during the screening of his movie ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. A stampede broke as people rushed to catch a glimpse of the megastar. A 35-year-old woman named Revathi died while her nine-year-old son suffered injuries in the stampede.

The Hyderabad Police registered a case against the actor, his security team and the theater management, basis a complaint by the victim’s family.

Allu Arjun has been charged by the Hyderabad Police with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and voluntarily causing hurt.

The actor was arrested this morning from his house in Jubilee Hills and taken to the Chikkadpally Police Station. The actor’s father – well-known filmmaker Allu Arvind – and other family members were present at the time of the arrest.

According to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, there was no intimation from the theatre management or the actors’ team that they would be visiting. The unscheduled visit and lack of security arrangements lead to the stampede.

Hyderabad:

Megastar K Chiranjeevi was on Sunday honoured by the Guinness World Records, which recognised him as the most prolific star in the Indian film industry in the actor/dancer category.

“The most prolific film star in Indian Film Industry-actor/dancer is Konidela Chiranjeevi aka Mega Star (India) achieved on 20 September 2024,” said a certificate issued by the Guinness World Records, which was handed over to Chiranjeevi at an event here.

“This moment is unforgettable. I never sought recognition from the Guinness World Records, but it feels incredible to be honored for my dancing. It is dancing that truly made me a star and brought me so many rewards throughout my career,” Chiranjeevi said after receiving the certificate.

“All these years of my film career, dance had become part of my life. I still remember dancing in front of legends like Savitri and my first dance steps on screen. I owe this recognition to the directors, producers, music directors, and choreographers who always made sure to showcase my dance performances in films,” Chiranjeevi said thanking everyone for the honour.

“Mega star Chiranjeevi has performed 24,000 dance moves in 537 songs in his 156 films in a span of 45 years,” sources close to the actor said.

“September 22 also happens to be the day when the mega star made his debut in the year 1978,” they said.

Speaking on the occasion, Guinness World Records adjudicator Richard Stenning praised Chiranjeevi’s extraordinary contribution, stating, “after thoroughly reviewing all 156 films and his dance performances, we found this achievement to be officially amazing.” Superstar Aamir Khan, who shared the dais with Chiranjeevi, said he is a huge fan of the star.

“I see him as my elder brother. I was so happy that Chiranjeevi garu is being given this honour and I was really thrilled to know that. If you notice him in any song of his, “his own heart” is in it, and he is enjoying himself,” Mr Khan said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, and BRS Working President K T Rama Rao were among those who congratulated Chiranjeevi.

Revanth Reddy in a post on ‘X’ said, “It is a matter of pride for Telugu people that popular movie actor Konidela Chiranjeevi got a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.” In a post on ‘X’, Kishan Reddy said “Megastar for a reason! Congratulations to one of the most admired Indian film star Sri K Chiranjeevi Garu on being recognised as the Most Prolific Film Star in Indian Film Industry, Actor / Dancer. 24000 dance moves in 537 songs in his 156 films in a span of 45 years – This is simply incredible! This is an iconic feat. Your legacy will be an inspiration for generations.@KChiruTweets”.

Chandrababu Naidu in a post on ‘X’ said “I extend my heartiest congratulations to Mega Star and Padma Vibhushan awardee, @KChiruTweets Garu, on being recognised by The Guinness World Records as the Most Prolific Film Star in Indian Film Industry, Actor/ Dancer. He has made an unparalleled contribution to Telugu cinema with his grace and artistry. This recognition not only adds another feather to his cap, but it also elevates the pride of Telugu people all over the world.” Chiranjeevi is one of the top stars of the South cinema, having worked in over 150 feature films in Telugu as well as Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.

Some of his popular films include “Rudra Veena”, “Indra”, “Tagore”, “Swayam Krushi”, “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy”, “Stalin” and “Gang Leader”.

He was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, along with Indian cinema icon Vyjayanthimala, in May this year.

He was previously honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2006. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bengaluru:

Amid the water crisis in Bengaluru, Telugu film star Chiranjeevi Konidela has emphasised the need to build houses that help conserve water, and shared details of what he has done at his farm house in the city.

By taking these steps, he said, one can conserve water and improve rainwater harvesting and build eco-friendly houses.

“As we all know, water is the most precious commodity, water scarcity makes daily life difficult. There may be a shortage of water in Bengaluru today. Tomorrow it can happen anywhere. So I want to use this opportunity to emphasise the need to build houses that help conserve water. Here I am sharing what I did for my farmhouse in Bengaluru,” Chiranjeevi Konidela said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday.

Noting that recharge wells that are 20-36 feet deep are installed at strategic points throughout the farm site with sufficient slopes to direct surface water flow to the recharge wells, he said, “each well has a filter system, a silt trap with different aggregates — rock sizes and sand, to facilitate the passage of water through the layers.” “A recharge well – compared to a recharge pit – can store more water and allow water to flow more slowly through porous layers in the substrate to reach deeper aquifers,” he added.

Further noting that he has also implemented “permaculture principles”, the former Andhra Pradesh MP said Permaculture works on the circular principle of rejuvenating the environment, making it self-sustaining.

“A major outcome of permaculture is the reduction in water demand. This is achieved by mulching using dead leaves and wood chips along with a suitable ground cover using a garden that minimises evaporative loss from the soil,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)