Early career: 1978–1981
Upon completion of his film training, he started his acting career with Punadhirallu,[3] however Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier.[17] Immediately thereafter, he got an opportunity to work in Mana Voori Pandavulu that was directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. This film, which was based on the feudal system in the Indian society, helped Chiranjeevi to get the recognition.[13] He played a small role in Tayaramma-Bangarayya and anti-hero in films like I Love You and K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu which brought his acting talents to the fore.[13] Starring Kamal Haasan, Idi Katha Kaadu, a remake of the Tamil film Avargal, he enacted the role which was played by Rajinikanth in the original. In 1979, Chiranjeevi had eight major film releases. He followed up this trend in 1980 where 14 of his films released at the box-office.[18][19] He then played characters with negative shades in films like Mosagadu, Rani Kasula Rangamma and the Tamil-Telugu bilingual 47 Natkal, directed by K. Balachander.[20] A. Kodandarami Reddy's Nyayam Kavali (1981) saw him playing an anti-hero once again and his performance were noticed by the critics. In 1981, he appeared as a villain in Ranuva Veeran opposite Rajinikanth, which further elevated his status as an anti-hero. The audiences too developed a liking for his "ease in dance movements and swashbuckling fights."[17] He was mostly cast in supporting roles and in antagonistic characters during this period.
Breakthrough as hero: 1982–87
Chiranjeevi began to appear in lead roles with films like Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya[15] and Abhilasha.[21] For his role in Mondi Ghatam (1982), his unique style of acting was much appreciated by the critics. Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya (1982), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, not only strengthened his position as a big star but also brought him lot of laurels.[14] In 1982, he acted in Subhalekha under the direction of K. Viswanath, for which he received a Filmfare Award.[15] Khaidi directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy released in 1983. This film was based on the Sylvester Stallone-starrer First Blood (1982).[15] Khaidi was a box-office success and gave Chiranjeevi an action hero's image.[14] It became a major blockbuster and a turning point in Chiranjeevi's career.[15] Over the next three years, Chiranjeevi gradually occupied the top slot which he held until he acted. The films that followed Khaidi gave him the image of an action hero. By the end of 1983, he had acted in about 60 movies, mostly in supporting roles, some as villain and some as character roles.[15]
Chiranjeevi continued to enjoy commercial success in the following years with Manthri Gari Viyyankudu, Sangharshana, Goonda, Challenge, Hero, Donga, Jwala, Adavi Donga, Kondaveeti Raja, Rakshasudu and Donga Mogudu.[2] In 1985 he received his 3rd Filmfare Award for his performance in Vijetha .[22] In 1987 the film Pasivadi Pranam released and gave Chiranjeevi a super stardom. Variety of dances were introduced. Chiranjeevi created sensation with his steps which is known as “Break Dance”. Chiranjeevi received his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for Swayam Krushi(1987) directed by K. Viswanath. An Unusual film from Chiranjeevi, during his early days of stardom and with an image as action hero. This film’s box office success also proved Chiranjeevi's transformation of image from an action hero to acting hero.[23]
Commercial success: 1988–1999
Chiranjeevi worked for 23 films, most of which were box office hits. He also attempted a variety of roles which showed his acting skills. After Khaidi, he had hits like Pasivadi Pranam (1987), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988), where he appeared in a dual role, and Manchi Donga (1988).
His film, Rudraveena (1988), not only won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration[7] but also made him win his second Nandi Award. Music director Illayaraja and singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won National Film Awards for the same film.
Chiranjeevi paired with Sridevi in Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari that revolutionized socio-fantasy movies in Tollywood. Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and produced by Ashwini Dutt, the movie was a big hit and is considered to be one of the best movies of Chiranjeevi. Other films like Kondaveeti Donga and Raja Vikramarka were also box-office successes. Gang Leader (1991) was a massive hit and critics even called him as the "boss of Telugu cinema".[24] Gharana Mogudu became the first ever Telugu movie to gross more than 
10 crore.
10 crore.He acted in Hindi films too. His performances were appreciated in Prathibandh (1990), which gained him a Filmfare nomination. Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, a remake of his Telugu film and The Gentleman, a Tamil remake also proved to be successful.
Aapathbandhavudu released in 1992, won critical acclaim and Chiranjeevi received his second Nandi Award for Best Actor.Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) [25] The mid 1990s saw a career dip for Chiranjeevi with box-office failures like Mechanic Alludu, S.P.Parshuram, Big Boss and Rikshavodu with the exception of a few films like he acted Muta Mesthri film got an 5th Filmfare Award, Mugguru Monagallu and Alluda Majaka which were moderately successful.[22]
After a brief lull, he came back strongly with a smashing hit Hitler in 1997, which received both critical and commercial acclaim. From then, Chiranjeevi confined himself to acting in only a few selected films. The following years he appeared in commercially successful movies like Master, Bavagaru Bagunnara, Choodalani Vundi, Sneham Kosam film he Received 6th Filmfare Award Trophy and Annayya.
In 1999, Chiranjeevi was to appear in a Hollywood production directed by Suresh Krishna in Telugu. The movie, which was titled Return of the Thief of Baghdad, had its filming suspended for unknown reasons.[26]
Nearing retirement: 2000s
The 2002 film Indra broke all his previous box office records, and also won him his third Nandi Award for Best Actor and he also received 7th Filmfare Award Trophy.[27][28] After that, he appeared in films which had an underlying message and a social cause like Tagore, Shankar Dada MBBS being he received 8th Filmfare Award trophy and Stalin being notable ones and he won Legendary Honorary Special Jury Award for Filmfare. His last film was Shankar Dada Zindabad before making his political entry.He is planing to act again in new movie and that become his 150th movie.[29]
Political career: 2008–present
In 2008, Chiranjeevi started Praja Rajyam, a political party in the state of Andhra Pradesh.[30] At the launch, he stated that social justice was the main agenda of his party.[31] In the 2009 general elections the party won 18 seats in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly.[32] He was elected a Member of the State Assembly from Tirupati.[33] His party recently stood for a united Andhra Pradesh and opposed separate statehood for Telangana.[34] Meanwhile, two members of Telangana Advocates JAC filed criminal case against Chiranjeevi and 12 other leaders of his party for opposing separation of Telengana.
The advocates—A. Srinivas and B. Narasimha Reddy—filed their petition before 17th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court. They said the PR leaders, in their manifesto during 2009 State Assembly elections, extended support to Telangana.[35]
Praja Rajyam's launch in Tirupathi is largest gathering in the country's political history with over 30 lakh people attending it. His party won 18 MLA seats with 18% vote share.
He stood both in Tirupati and in Palakollu Constituency as MLA in the 2009 general elections, winning in Tirupati but losing in Palakollu.[36][37]
On 6 Feb 2011, Chiranjeevi merged the 30-month-old Praja Rajyam party with Indian National Congress.[32][38] Not all members of the party were expected to follow him, due in particular, to his stance against Telangana as a separate state from Andhra Pradesh. He got a good percentage of votes in Telangana region by emphasising Samajika Telangana. But once the Central Govt announced Telangana state formation, he made a complete U-turn.
popularity
Chiranjeevi is considered as the leading actor in Telugu cinema of his time. Veteran director K. Balachander once commented "Chiranjeevi has both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in him. Not only can he do action, he can also act."[39] Other actors like Nagarjuna, Balakrishna and Venkatesh have acknowledged that Chiranjeevi as a leading actor of his era.[citation needed] Owing to his ability to his box-office appeal, popular entertainment magazine, Filmfare, quoted him "Bigger than Bachchan", a reference to Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan.[40] News magazine The Week hailed him as "The new money machine".[41]
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