Chiranjeevi (born Konidala Siva Sankara Vara Prasad on 22 August 1955) is an Indian film actor and Indian National Congress Politician. He is the Minister of State with independent charge for Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Prior to Politics, Chiranjeevi has worked primarily with Telugu Cinema, but has appeared in several Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in 1978 through the film Punadhirallu. However, Pranam Khareedu released earlier at the box office.
He is popularly known as "Megastar" in the Indian media.
In a film career spanning thirty years, Chiranjeevi was starred in 149 feature films. In 1988, he co-produced Rudraveena, along with his brother Nagendra Babu which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. He has won four state Nandi Awards and ten Filmfare Awards South. Chiranjeevi was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, for his contributions towards Indian cinema. In 2006, he was presented an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.
Chiranjeevi founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation, established in 1998, which is involved in humanitarian activities.
In 2008, he entered politics by forming the Praja Rajyam Party. In the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, Chiranjeevi has planted a seedling called PRAJA RAJYAM with the intention to provide the following - Social Justice - Decentralization - Quality Health and Education - Better Governance
For the Better Future Unconditionally Merged With Congress
He is Present Union Minister of State (Independent charge),Ministry of Tourism