My father considered my birth lucky for him. Because it was only after I was born that he started getting good cine offers. I’m the youngest in the family, so I haven’t really watched any of his Bollywood movies, for, they were made long before I was born. But yes, I have watched a few of his Telugu films and enjoyed watching them.

I always liked him on screen as he is a natural actor. I like the ease with which he delivers his dialogues. He has essayed innumerable roles, but the one I remember is his character in the Telugu movie, Daddy, where he played the role of a father. His acting was incredible. Also, the plot of the movie is so similar to my real life story, that it touched my heart. Dad would also take me along to the sets. I would accompany him to outstation shoots, and it used to be great fun. I used to just watch him act and interact with others on the sets.

As a father

Frankly, I like the ‘dad’ part of him more than his ‘actor’ persona. He’d never bring his work home – so we never discussed movies. He was a different person at home – a great father. I was the most pampered in the house, and I don’t remember my father ever saying ‘no’ to something I wanted or asked for, till my 18th birthday, that is.

He always gave me whatever I wanted. My birthdays were always very special. He would load me with gifts – each year, he’d increase the number of gifts, coinciding with my age. Unfortunately, I don’t have any of those gifts with me anymore, as they are at my parents’ place. I’m left with nothing. My only regret is that that he didn’t give me that one gift I asked him for – on my last birthday, when I turned 19. I asked him to give me Shirish, who is my husband now. Otherwise he has fulfilled all my dreams and has given me the best things in life.

As he used to be very busy shooting, we hardly ever saw him at home. It was only since the past few years, when he began to take on less films, that he got free enough to spend time with us. But even in those hectic days, he was very loving and caring. I remember how he would come back from shooting late in the night, wake me up and sit and have dinner with me. He would also make breakfast for all of us on a day he was free. Sometimes, he’d ask me to make his favourite – omelette-bread – for breakfast.

But, he never wanted his daughter to get into acting. He wanted to see me settled and leading a normal life. As a superstar’s daughter, I’d often accompany him to functions and events. He’d make sure that I sit next to him, and I used to feel very proud of my father. Now, he’s a grandfather too. He says he is very happy. My daughter is the first grandchild of the family. I hope for his good wishes.
As a politician

My father is a good, kind-hearted person. Even when he was acting, he would take care of all those around him. The way he interacts with people, listens to them, and helps them, I’m sure he’ll make for a great politician. But, I never encouraged his wish for getting into politics. My family would have never ever imagined that he would one day become a politician.

1.Chiru's camp requested South Central railways to arrange 10 exclusive trains to transport people to Tirupathi from various cities of the state for Chiru's first Public address on 26th August.-Railway authorities yet to take a decision in this regard.

2.On the other hand, there are several requests from mega fans of various district to APS RTC to hire the buses to go to Tirupathi on 26th August.

a. East Godhavari Region Fans requested 24 buses from local depot of APSRTC.

b. West Godavari from where Chiru hails requested for 60 buses.

c. Hyderabad Ibrahim Patnam manager was requested to arrange 10 buses.

d.Vizag fans already booked 10 buses to go to Tirupathi on 26th.
e. CM's native district Kadapa Mega fans requested RTC to provide 120 buses.

A clash is reported between Chiru and Mahesh Babu erupted while Chiru fans gathered at Prasad Gardens at Vizag, this morning to celebrate their favorite hero's birthday removed Mahesh's cutout placed at the site.

Knowing the incident Mahesh Babu fans rushed to the spot which later turned as a clash.

One person named Bujji received injuries and rushed to nearby hospital and admitted.

It is reported some local Congress leaders visited to enquire about his condition.

The debutant politician, Chiranjeevi, said like his entry into films, his decision to enter politics too was a spontaneous one.

Interacting informally with journalists here on Thursday ahead of his birthday on Friday, which he intends to spend with his family and away from the public glare, he said there was no single factor that made him enter the field. When asked whether it were issues like price rise, uprooting of people due to SEZs and other major projects, etc, that moved him, he said: "I cannot say it is this particular reason or that which pained me and forced me to jump into politics. But I can say that the problems like hunger and the apathy of the rulers towards the poor, have really troubled me a lot," he said.

"It is always small things and ordinary people that have had serious bearing on me. I would love to become small to catch up with them," he said. Never a reader of great books, the actor, however, singled out one book, 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff' by Richard Carlson, (a bestseller of the nineties) that helped him unclutter his mind and life.

Chiranjeevi maintained that his entry into politics was not premeditated. "Like my entry into the movie world, my entry into politics too was not preplanned." Nevertheless, he said certain forces working at the subconscious level might have driven him into public life.

Saying that he is fascinated by ordinary people, he said he noticed every ordinary fan wanting to communicate something to him when they watched him from afar at film functions. "I do not know what they wanted to communicate to me, But this new life is giving me an opportunity to interact with them. So far, I have not been one among them. Now, I want to become one," he said.

Interestingly, the star, who is yet wear the trade mark khadi, had no icon among the contemporary politicians. "We like one leader for one type of quality. I take inspiration from good qualities in all the leaders," he said. However, he named former president A P J Abdul Kalam as a recent inspiration to enter public life.

"Though mingling with the masses is not new to me, this new experience is uplifting my mood, I hear so much from them. I love this," he said.

Tirupati to be under Chiru siege on Aug 26

HYDERABAD/TIRUPATI: Even as newly-turned-politician Chiranjeevi plans to have a quiet birthday with his family on Friday, the tempo of activity is picking up in Tirupati ahead of the public meeting on August 26 with his fans attempting to practically take over the temple town in the run-up to the meeting. The preliminary assessment of the intelligence department is that approximately 3 lakh people would turn up for the meeting.

Special trains and buses are being arranged and hotels in Tirupati, Renigunta and Tiruchanur, as well as guest houses and kalyanamandapams have already been booked. And in a development on Thursday, Charanjeevi fans are reportedly requesting several private marriage parties who have booked the various function halls in these areas for the last 10 days of August to either shift the venue or put it off till the meeting is over.

One fan, on condition of anonymity, told TOI that they are making such a request to the marriage parties because "we need all the available space to accommodate those pouring in over the next three days". In all, there are 30 huge kalyanamandapams in Tirupati and many other private ones in the nearby towns. Many auspicious days fall in the last 10 days of August because of which several weddings are slated to take place during that period.

Another worrying factor for officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devesthanams is that there may be a deluge of fan-pilgrims before and after the public meeting for darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. Even if the authorities make special arrangements for the Chiru fans, it would take a minimum of 12 hours for the darshan to be completed. "We can at best squeeze in about 80,000 pilgrims per day, but even for that, we need to make special contingency plans," one TTD official said. But the intelligence department's assessment is that over a lakh of the three lakh who come for the political rally would climb up for darshan of the Lord. This would mean that it will take some 36 hours for the darshan.

Meanwhile, the railway authorities have decided to run 11 special trains to Tirupati from the coastal areas of Rajahmundry, Eluru, Kakinada, Narasapur, Chirala, Ongole and Anakapalli. These trains will operate on full tariff rates, one official said, and added that the organisers had sought 16 such trains for the meeting.

The Road Transport Corporation (RTC) too has arranged 250 buses from the Chittoor depot as against the requisition of 1,350 buses. The buses will be hired at the rate of Rs 28 per km. Similarly, 26 buses have been sanctioned from West Godavari, 56 from Ongole, 200 from Nellore and 150 vehicles from Krishna. The requests from the other districts are being looked into, the authorities added.

Megastar Chiranjeevi’s announcement that he would only do “educative” and “well-intentioned” films in the future has been taken with a pinch of salt by the film fraternity. Truly, Chiranjeevi has not been like other actors who have prepared their way to politics through carefully crafted films.

As such, film buffs and industrywallahs can cite only one “educative” film which he has done so far—Rudraveena. Directed by Mr K. Balachander, the film propounded strong messages against evils such as caste discrimination, illiteracy and alcoholism. It also highlighted self reliance and gram swaraj. The protagonist played by Chiranjeevi hails from an orthodox Brahmin family but marries a Dalit woman to herald social change in his village. Chiranjeevi’s brother Nagababu produced this well-meaning film.

Despite receiving critical acclaim and getting a national award, the film bombed at box office. This happened in 1990. Chiranjeevi the actor learned lessons from this “educative” endeavour and went only for full-scale commercial fare after that, including his last film in 2007, Shankardada Zindabad. One of his blockbusters Tagore had a theme against corruption but nobody would dare to call the masala entertainer an educative film.

Though Chiranjeevi seems to have decided not to wear greasepaint for the time being, there have been complaints that his press conference the other day was also ‘enacted’. Some friendly scribes asked the ‘right’ kind of questions to the superstar, enabling him to wax eloquent on his humble life as a youngster and also to utter some punch dialogues. “I am a humanist rather than leftist or rightist,” said Chiranjeevi, in a tone that would evoke instant applause in a cinehouse. But it would be good if the superstar understands that future press meets are not going to be like this. Reporters would be grilling him on all issues and there would not be many opportunities for punch dialogues.

Four days before he formally launches his political party, Telugu film star and wannabe-politician Chiranjeevi on Friday celebrated his 53rd birthday quietly with his family.

After a three-decade-long film career, he proposes to launch Aug 26 his yet unnamed party at a public meeting in the temple town of Tirupati.

He announced his entry into politics on Sunday, saying he was dedicating his life to serving the people.

Not sure whether he would find time for the family later, the actor preferred to celebrate his birthday at his house in the upmarket Jubilee Hills.
He spent the day with his mother Anjana Devi, wife Surekha and other family members.

In sharp contrast, his supporters and fans celebrated the day with much fanfare.

A large number of them gathered outside his house and at the party office to greet him.

Chiru, as he is popularly known, had appealed to his fans across the state not to reach Hyderabad to greet him and instead take up social work and plant trees in their respective towns and villages.

Responding to his call, fans' associations organised meals for the poor, health check-up camps, blood donation camps and distributed fruits among patients at various hospitals besides planting trees.

The fans also cut huge cakes, took out processions and organised free screening of some films of the actor.

In Visakhapatnam, Chiranjeevi's fans cut a 53-kg cake, burst firecrackers and raised slogans hailing his entry into politics.

The celebrations in Vijayawada triggered tension when fans of popular actor Mahesh Babu took exception to the removal of his cut-out by Chiru's fans. One person was injured in the resulting clash between the two groups.

Mahesh Babu, son of veteran actor and former Congress MP G S Krishna, celebrated his birthday earlier this month amid speculations that he would campaign for the ruling Congress party in next year's elections.

Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi's fans have stepped up efforts to mobilise huge crowds for the Aug 26 meeting at Tirupati, where the actor would announce the name of his party and its agenda.

Though his fans were expecting that he would launch the party on his birthday, he preferred to do it on the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa, whom he described as his source of inspiration.

Chiru is already engaged in social service and runs a blood and eye bank here and his fans hope to see him as the next chief minister.

He has a huge fan following, comparable to thespian N T Rama Rao, who had taken the state politics by storm by floating Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. NTR had come to power within nine months of launching the party.

Born on Aug 22, 1955 in Mogalturu, a small village in the coastal district of West Godavari in the family of an excise constable, Chiru was christened Konidela Siva Shankara Varaprasad.

After graduating in commerce, he began his film career in 1978 - when he renamed himself. Chiranjeevi - and carved out a niche for himself with his image of an action hero. He acted in 147 films and churned several blockbusters including those with social message.

Chiru bagged various awards for his acting, his contribution to Telugu cinema and social service. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan in 2006.

Known to be a sensitive and kind-hearted man, Chiru Thursday admitted a physically challenged person as the first member of his party. "I will be the second member," he said.

The itinerary of filmstar Chiranjeevi is all packed. As head of a political party, he will meet the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekar Reddy, the former Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Governor, Mr N.D. Tiwari, in a couple of days. Political leaders wondered what would be the topic of discussion between them.

There has been no such courtesy meetings between political party heads till date in the state. Chiranjeevi’s office phoned Mr Chandrababu Naidu office on Monday to inform him of this. But as both leaders are busy with their pre-decided schedule a meeting could not be materialized. Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi will meet the Governor, Mr Tiwari, before meeting any other political leader. "It would be a courtesy meeting. As I decided to join politics, it would be a nice gesture to meet leaders of other political parties," Chiranjeevi observed. Both Chiranjeevi and Mr Naidu are good friends for a long time and wives of both the leaders also enjoy regular meetings.

On Tuesday, some more people joined the star’s party. Freedom fighter Sardar Gouthu Lachhanna’s daughter Ms Jhansi, TRS leader Jannu Jakaraiah joined the party. A batch of doctors led by Dr Noorjahan from Mahabubnagar district also took party membership. Resigned MP Ch Harirama Jogaiah formally joined the party in the presence of Chiranjeevi. The film star welcomed the veteran leader and said the party would utilise his experience and knowledge for party building.

In further hiccups for the political debut of Chiranjeevi, a Tirupati-based NGO moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday opposing the holding of a public meeting at Avilala Tank in the temple town by him on August 26. The matter is likely to be taken up for hearing on Thursday.

Intellectual Forum, the NGO, moved a petition citing contempt of a directive given by the apex court in 2006 to the state to protect its water bodies. It contended that the public meeting should be prohibited as Avilala Tank is a water tank that enjoys protection under the Environment Act.

The forum has been fighting for the protection of water bodies for over the last two decades. It contends that Rayalaseema is the driest region in the state and therefore, there is a dire need to protect water bodies like the Avilala Tank, which, it said, was built by Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century.

The forum moved the AP High Court in 1994 urging it to give directive for the restoration of the ancient water body and not allow any activities on it in the future. The HC dismissed its petition. Following that, it moved an SLP in the SC in 2001. The SC gave a verdict on Feb 23, 2006 directing AP to protect the tank.

Avilala Tank was the venue for the Congress plenary in 1992. The tank bed was filled up on a war footing and it was this development that prompted the forum to seek a legal remedy. Now, two weeks ago, after Chiranjeevi’s men sought and obtained permission to hold their public meeting on the tank on Aug 26, the forum had first urged the district administration not to accord permission for the meeting.

It moved the SC on Wednesday. "Since the matter is in the apex court, it would not be proper for us to comment on the case. But we feel sorry that not a single recommendation of the SC directive has been implemented till today," forum president K Srinivasa Reddy told TOI .

The Chiranjeevi camp, which has announced a new political party, is yet to submit an application for its registration with the Election Commission. Though leaders from different political parties and people from all walks of life have joined the party, no move has been made to get it registered. As per EC guidelines, a political party has to submit its application within 30 days from the date of formation.

Those who rushed to join the new party were surprised after they were given "nameless" application forms at the office of Chiranjeevi’s proposed party. "We are yet to submit an application to the EC," said an aide of the actor. "We are finalising some crucial issues. It will be done in a week." As per section 29A of the Representation of People’s Act 1951, nine requirements have to be fulfilled for the registration of a political party.

The party should have a constitution authenticated by its president and general secretary. It should give details of the organisational set-up, posts and their terms and other aspects. It should also submit an affidavit by at least 100 registered voters. They should not be members of any other political party. The party should also have a bank account. The Chiru camp cannot fulfil many of these conditions at present.

Interestingly, the state government has given full security to Chiranjeevi and his party office without going into all this. The management of the party office also displays the lack of awareness of the Chiranjeevi camp. As yet, there is no authorised person whom the media and political leaders can contact. "If some big leader wants to join the party, whom should he contact?" asked a TD leader. Even the decision to organise public meet at the Avilala ground in Tirupati has run into a problem. Police are unhappy at the decision because of security reasons and a petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday requesting that the meeting be prevented.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has denied reports that it was planning to have a tie-up with Chiranjeevi’s party. The party said though Chiranjeevi had called up Mr L.K. Advani before the launch of his party, it was just for seeking his blessings. A section of the media had reported that the BJP was keen on having a truck with Chiranjeevi’s party and Mr Advani had called up the actor to reach an understanding.

The state unit spokesperson of the BJP, Mr Prakash Jawadekar, on Tuesday said the actor had called up Mr Advani to seek his blessings on the eve of launching his party. "We welcome Chiranjeevi for calling up Mr Advani and seeking his blessings. It is healthy for the democratic practice in Indian politics. However, no discussions on a tie-up took place. What was reported in a section of the media is incorrect," Mr Jawadekar said.

Some of the state BJP leaders claimed that Chiranjeevi’s party desperately needed the support of the saffron party as it is not in a position to win the elections alone. "It is too early to think of an alliance with Chiranjeevi. Let him come out with his ideas and policies. We are not in a hurry to have a tie up with anybody at this juncture despite the fact that the party wants to strengthen the NDA by inviting more parties in its fold," said Mr N. Indrasena Reddy, the national secretary of the BJP.

According to sources, the BJP is likely to demand more seats in the next elections if Chiranjeevi party comes forward for a tie-up. "Chiranjeevi and Mr Devender Goud have just launched their parties. Both of them are yet to ready their cadre base at the village level. So, they cannot demand for more seats," said a senior leader of the party. "Moreover, Chiranjeevi has not announced his stand on Telangana. It is not so easy to have tie-up with his party unless he supports the Telangana cause," he further added.

The BJP had won four Parliamentary seats in the 1998 elections and 7 in the 1999 elections. However, the leaders argued that the grassroots network of the party was intact though it failed to win seats in 2004. They expect that the party will wrest more seats in the upcoming polls slated fir next year.

Three decades after Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad pursued a dream and realised it too, he is now walking in an unusual territory only this time he is unsure if this too would be a chart buster he has become habitual of delivering.

Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, fondly and popularly known as Chiranjeevi has demonstrated that he is a meticulous planner, executing his plans gradually, but certainly, his eyes fixed on his goal.

But just who is this man who has a mega fan club devoted to him, who has caused scores of young hearts miss multiple beats with his antics on the silver screen and is now making political bigwigs wonder if he is a threat to them, their popularity.

The Wonder Years

Well, for starters, Chiranjeevi was born in a lower middle class family to Konidela Venkat Rao and Anjana Devi, the oldest child of this humble middle class family, his father a lower-level functionary in the excise department. Born in Mogalthur village in West Godavari district on August 22, 1955, Chiranjeevi (it is said that he changed his name to Chiranjeevi after he dreamt of somebody addressing him by that name) moved several towns in his childhood as his father's job was a transferable one. And it was while he was in school that he was bitten by the acting bug. But he wasn't in a hurry to realise his starry dreams. After completing intermediate at P R Sharma Junior College at Ongole, he studied for a commerce degree at Y N College at Narsapur.

Soon after, he moved to Chennai (then Madras) but did not try his hand in big bad world of films right away. Much like his preparation to join politics, a young Chiranjeevi then enrolled for a course in acting. With an acting diploma under his belt, he soon signed his first film in 1978. For the next three decades Chiranjeevi only grew to such dizzy heights that even as he dreams the CM's role, nobody is quite calling him presumptuous.

Chiranjeevi married Surekha, daughter of Allu Ramalingaiah, an actor subscribing to the left ideology, in 1980.

Chiranjeevi has perhaps had things not too difficult, so far. He became a star overnight after the release of Pranam Khareedu . He was on a signing spree and gave up the life that existed outside the film industry. "I got completely sucked into films. The going was both good and tough but I could not let down the guard," Chiranjeevi often said.
A smart planner, Chiranjeevi wanted to carve out a niche for himself. And thus was born the ‘dancer' star. If certain ‘exercises' of some big stars then had passed off as dances, Chiranjeevi changed the rules of the game.

He was the producers' dream star package: acting talent, dance with a dash of humility and availability. Here was their hero.

From Hero To Megastar

A string of hits catapulted the five-feet-nine-inches tall Chiranjeevi to superstardom. The chemistry he shared with his heroines and the attitude that he displayed on screen earned him accolades and offers. Khaidi was a huge hit and so were movies like Challenge . His swelling fan numbers started calling him supreme hero. But soon he outgrew himself. There were hits in the form of Gang Leader and Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari .

Around the time some magazine referred to him as a ‘Megastar' and that adjective stuck.

When the movie Marana Mridangam was released, Chiranjeevi was projected as the ‘megastar'. Not that he liked being showered with such titles but Chiranjeevi had to give in to requests of producers to tag megastar to his name.

However, the ‘megastar' tag didn't do wonders to the fate of his releases. His fans, now in lakhs, were disappointed with many of his films bombing.

In what was hitherto unknown, Chiranjeevi took the bold step of not signing any film for a year. "I just sat at home and whiled away my time. I needed time to think and come to terms with myself. Mistakes could not be repeated," the actor told a huge gathering of fans at the Annapurna Studios during the launch of Hitler after a break in 1997.

Chiru was back with a bang with a spate of hits, many in recent years such as Indra , Tagore and Shankardada MBBS .

After his last film Shankardada Zindabad in 2007, Chiranjeevi once again took a break.

He has not launched another film. With politics on his mind, Chiranjeevi had started scripting a new role for himself.
Father of two daughters, Sushmita and Srija, and one son, Ram Charan Tej, who was launched as a hero in 2007, Chiranjeevi has two brothers, Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan, are also actors.

Megastar Chiranjeevi is going to celebrate his birthday,22nd August with his family and it is going to be a private party. Chiru will not give appointment to anyone .

Megastar appeals his fans not to come down to Hyderabad on 22nd August as he wouldn't be available to the fans. He requested the fans to organize charity programs at their respective native places.

Nagababu, Chiru's brother who is looking after the Chiru Party activities will be going to New Delhi tomorrow, 18th August. He will meet the Central election commission with reference to the party registration.

There are two names in considerations for the party, after going thorugh the dozen names-

1. Swayam Krishi

2.Mega people's Party.

Still Chiru camp is keeping the party name secret. Nagbabu is likely to register one of these names with Election Commission.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, seemed to be least perturbed by actor Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics. "When we are doing everything we can for the people what is the party headed by Chiranjeevi going to do which is new?" Dr Rajasekar Reddy asked.

Speaking at a programme for official spokespersons of the Congress, he said that new parties like Nava Telangana Praja Party headed by Devender Goud, Lok Satta and now Chiranjeevi’s party have nothing to do as the Congress has completed most of the welfare activities. "We have absolutely no objection to the film actor launching a political party. However, they have nothing left to do," Dr Rajasekhar Reddy said. The AICC in-charge for Andhra Pradesh, Mr Veerappa Moily, and Dr Rajasekhar Reddy announced that the party is ready to face the elections any time.

Meanwhile, the Congress MP, Mr Harirama Jogaiah, submitted his resignation to the party and the Parliament. He faxed his resignation papers to the AICC headquarters and to the Speaker. Reacting to Chiranjeevi’s plans the Telugu Desam predicted a "repeat of Tamil Nadu political scenario" in Andhra Pradesh during the next general elections wherein new regional outfits ruined the prospects of national parties like the Congress. Chiranjeevi’s party will only erode the base of the Congress in AP which will ultimately push it out of the contest. It will place the Opposition party in a winning position, said the TD Parliamentary Party leader, Mr K. Yerrannaidu.

The TD deputy leader in Assembly, Mr Nagam Janardhan Reddy, said: "Anti-establishment vote against the government will not split as the Congress will suffer the most. There is no comparison between NTR and Chiranjeevi. The proposed political party will not succeed as there is no political vacuum in the state. The people are eager to see the TD regime again, he claimed.

Chiranjeevi got a boost when many leaders from other parties expressed their willingness to join the new party. Former Rajya Sabha member and senior TD leader from East Godavari district, Mrs Vanga Geeta, resigned from her party and hinted at joining Chiranjeevi. The TD supported MLC, Mr Gorle Haribabu Naidu, Mr B. Raghavendra Reddy and former Kurnool Zilla Parishad chairman, Mr Masala Eeranna are set to join the party. Some of these leaders have already met the actor discreetly.

On Monday, noted Dalit poet Katti Padma Rao along with some BC leaders joined the actor. Speaking on the occasion Chiranjeevi requested all the Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Backward caste leaders to join him for greater social justice. “My party will give top priority to social justice. I request other leaders to join me to fight effectively,” Chiranjeevi said. More than 300 non-resident Indians from the United States reached Hyderabad on Monday for a 20 day state-wide tour, to campaign for Chiranjeevi. The actor’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind made arrangements for their campaign.

Meanwhile, the actor attended the funeral of his friend Hari Prasad, who died on Sunday and assured all help to the family. Congress MP Ch. Harirama Jogaiah, who resigned from the Congress on Sunday will join Chiranjeevi party in a few days. “I will work for Chiranjeevi party and will not contest in the next elections. I want to build the party effectively,” said Mr Jogaiah. He told mediapersons that he will request the actor to order an inquiry against the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, if he is successful in the next elections. In Visakhapatnam, a top Telugu Desam leader and former MLA are also likely to join the actor’s party.

The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, said on Monday that superstar Chiranjeevi’s political entry would pose no threat to his party. The TD chief said people were with the TD and it would emerge victorious in 2009 polls. Also, there was no political vacuum in the state to enable new political outfits to flourish, he said.

Mr Naidu was addressing the media at the party headquarters after completing his 117-day Mee Kosam Yatra. He dismissed fears about Chiranjeevi’s entry affecting the TD’s fortunes and said that his party had strong foundation in the hearts of the Telugu people. “Nobody can affect the TD,” he said. “Ours is the party which fought for Telugu’s pride. As long as people are with us, nobody can ruin our prospects.”

He added that none of the new parties will affect the TD. “The parties may be new, but people are the same,” he quipped. Mr Naidu said the TD was intact and was becoming stronger at the grassroots level. Party workers were eagerly waiting for the elections so as to dislodge the “corrupt regime of the Congress”. Mr Naidu refuted Chiranjeevi’s claim that the current crop of political parties were not working to fulfil the aspirations of the common man. “We have been working in accordance with the people’s aspirations,” he said. Though film star Balakrishna was ready to take up a campaign in support of the Telugu Desam, it might take some more time to work out, added Mr Naidu.

Going by his reputation Chiranjeevi is an indecisive man who agonises a lot before taking any decision. But the delay in kickstarting his party has nothing to do with the megastar's nature: it was possibly a deliberate decision to float a political outfit only six months before the elections. The film star wants to take a one full circle of the state which he reckons would boost his popularity enough to allow him to somersault to the chief minister's gaddi. By implication the thinking is that if the period between his actual launch and elections is longer the superstar's appeal could be waning.

But on the eve of his maiden political press conference, analysts predict with confidence that Chiru will certainly be kingmaker, though they can't figure out whether he has the chance of becoming the king. "It's an inter-dependent world, what you will be able to achieve will also depend on what others do. Before Chandrababu Naidu's 'Mee Kosam' it was certain that TDP was on a very weak wicket; but no longer so. It would not be a cakewalk for Chiranjeevi," says a Congress MP.

In other words, if there were prospects earlier that the main battle would be between the Congress and the Chiranjeevi party, the present assessment is that there will be a three-way battle. "This could well throw up a hung legislative assembly, which means that Chiranjeevi can become a crucial factor and may be a kingmaker," a political analyst said.

Other analysts say that if Naidu's crisscrossing of the state had not been perceived as not good enough, his cadres would have left en masse and what is more his support base would have shifted away from him to Chiranjeevi. But except for a few leaders not many are expected to desert Chandrababu.

The Congress under Y S Rajasekhara Reddy - in spite of his overconfidence - however remains strong notwithstanding the anti incumbency factor. This means that the number of Congress leaders - except for those who see no chances of getting party nominations in the next elections - deserting the party for Chiranjeevi party will be minimal.

Analysts say that for Chiranjeevi to transit to be perceived as king from kingmaker will be a giant leap. They point out that only if the megastar is able to truly become a backward caste leader will he able to become the king. "The OBCs, Dalits and scheduled tribes comprise the majority of voters in the state. In this the OBCs form the chunk. He has to win their support to become chief minister," a political analyst said.

At present Chiranjeevi is merely seen as a leader of the Kapus and of his fans who are concentrated in cities. "The common man and the OBCs are yet to sail with him though his manifesto makers and political aides are advising him to have a strong backward caste orientation," a close watcher of political affairs says.

However analysts agree that the megastar has a strong support base in West and East Godavari, Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, parts of Guntur, Krishna, Chittoor, Prakasam, Kurnool and Anantapur districts. Though in his films Chiranjeevi asks for a share of the earnings in the Nizam's territory as his remuneration, his support base in Telangana is not all that much.

Actor Chiranjeevi is buying a helicopter with advanced features to tour the state. Sources close to the actor said that an order has been placed with a British helicopter company. The nine-seater AW109 model twin-engine helicopter can take the actor to even the remote areas in AP.

"After launching the party on August 17, he will start meeting people. The schedule for the state tour will be finalised after the Tirupati public meeting on August 26. The chopper will help him move quickly from place to place," said an active leader in Chiranjeevi’s camp. The helicopter will be customised as per Chiranjeevi’s requirements for campaigning. Earlier, many choppers were supposed to be bought. However, the cost factor forced the party to buy one exclusively for Chiranjeevi.

Meanwhile, the actor hoisted the national flag at his new party office in Jubilee Hills. He won many a heart by choosing mentally challenged children to participate in the function. He mingled with the children and joked with them and distributed sweets to them. He spent most of the time answering their questions. Clad in a white kurta and pyjama, he came to the party office at 10.40 am and waved to a large number of his fans who had gathered outside the office building. "I was very active in the NCC. The flag hoisting and singing the national anthem remind me of those days. I hope there are good days for all of us," he said.

Chiranjeevi had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi as an NCC cadet in the early 70s. The film star is scheduled to announce his political foray on Sunday next. Film star Pavan Kalyan participated in flag hoisting at many places in the City. But Loksatta party raised objection alleging that Pavan had used their party’s flag post to hoist national flag.

Political analysts some months ago felt that it would a Herculean task for megastar Chiranjeevi to face the media when it come the matter of his political entry. Cracking such fallacies, the actor spoke with perfect ability as a potential politician, giving calculated answers mixed with witticism and humor. From the start to finish, at no point of time, Chiranjeevi felt embarrassed or minced for words. It was like a free flow. Following is the gist of Chiranjeevi’s media interaction, touching on various important issues.

Farmers’ Issue in the state
People think that I don’t know anything about farmers’ problems. You have only seen me as an actor for thirty years. But, what was I before becoming an actor, thirty years ago? I do come a very modest constable family. We had just five acres of land. As a student and whenever I reached my village, I used to become a farmer. A scientific study would be launched into their problems for effective troubleshooting.

Declaration of Assets
Already I made it known to the Income Tax department about my assets.

Is politics in state totally rotten? Any vacuum?
No. I don’t think so. I strongly believe and perceive that people are in need of a constructive change. They are wholeheartedly inviting such a change. Yes, there is a big vacuum-like situation in the state. If not, why such a roaring response to my political entry in the state?

Who are your rivals? YSR or Chandrababu?
I don’t have any rivals in politics. Those who have the capability and goodness are always fit to do politics. My rivals are poverty and hunger. From my heart of hearts I loath backwardness. The good is not reaching the public to the lowest level. Poor are becoming even poorer and rich, richer. I want to cement this growing gap.

Are you a Robinhood?
No, I am the livelihood of the poor and downtrodden people. Certainly, I will change the present scenario. Basic point of my agenda is Pro-Poor.

Any retirement from films?
All these thirty years, the film industry took me into her caring fold. How can I forget it? The very thought of separating from it is heart pinching to me. Whenever there is a need to do socially-relevant films, I shall do. This is also like public service. Such films should be highly respectful.

Placement for women in party
We all know that women constitute half of the sky. Though, we may not be giving fifty percent prominence, but we shall give highly appreciable place to them. It is women who are my major strength.

Political alliances
At present, we are not interested. Now, our movement is only with the people. If such a thing really comes, definitely we will consider and there is nothing wrong in it.

Who are your political gurus?
People are my gurus. They will decide me where we should stand.

Money is necessary to run a political party? What about you?
Yes. Money is very important for administering a political party. People will give that. People are my wealth. I will run the party with the Abhimanam of my people.

How many seats you are expecting?
I already said I am not for power or position. It is for the people to decide how many seats to give to me.

Your response to migrations of other party people into your party?
Yes. If there is any person who is politically experienced, holding the potential to inspire the youth, he is welcome for us.

Anything lacking in Babu and YSR governments?
It is not my concern. Coming to me, I wish to do things with a difference. It is most vital to me.

Ending a year-long speculation, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on Sunday announced his entry into politics and said pro-poor policies and social justice will be his party''s main agenda.

"I will do things differently so that the benefits of development reach the last man in the queue. Andhra Pradesh is the richest state but its people are the poorest. I will work to fill the growing gap between the rich and the poor. After 30 years in the glamorous film world, I have decided that my path goes towards politics to serve the people. I dedicate myself to the service of the people," Chiranjeevi told mediapersons.

Addressing a crowded press conference, the superstar said, "My fight is not against any other politician but against hunger and poverty".

Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi, who had given enough indications in the recent months of launching a political party, on Sunday finally announced his foray into politics.

The party’s name, flag, symbol and agenda will be unveiled at the first public meeting to be held at the temple town of Tirupati on August 26.

The day also marked an end of his long stint with the tinsel town. “Though the film industry is very dear to me, I will not sail in two boats. But I will not back off from acting in message-oriented and educative movies,” he said.

The actor, who was inspired by former president APJ Abdul Kalam to take the political plunge, said: “It would have been a historic mistake if I did not take a decision to get into politics.”

Speaking at his party office in Jubilee Hills, Chiranjeevi said he had interacted with a cross section of people for guidance before beginning his political journey. “I am not here for power. I dedicate myself to the cause of the poor.”

He said he was also influenced by former chief minister and Telugu matinee idol late NT Rama Rao. “There is a political vacuum and people want a change,” he added.

He also recollected other instances which helped him in his decision. “A homeguard in Khammam committed suicide due to financial reason. In his suicide note, he expressed regrets of not being able to vote for Chiranjeevi,’’ the actor, who was born in a constable’s family, said.

In another instance, a well-read couple committed suicide. They too in their letter had expressed their desire to vote for Chiranjeevi.

“Our party will work for Santhoshaandhra Pradesh (a happy Andhra Pradesh),’’ he said. On issues like separate statehood to Telangana, he said it was a sensitive issue and a decision would be taken after ‘scientific analysis’.

“We had 5 acres agricultural land,’’ he said to a query if he knew anything about agriculture. “I do not know what a blood group is. But I know blood is essential to save a life. I do not know what politics is but I certainly know that people’s issues come first,’’ he said. Minorities and women issues would also be part of his agenda.

He ducked the question on the burning issues he had identified. “The media will identify them for me,” he sounded diplomatic. In the same tone, he said his assets were disclosed to the Income Tax department and his rivals were not chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy or TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, but poverty.

While not ruling out alliances with other parties or scaling up to a national party, he said the party would be open to all. He felt regional parties, like in Tamil Nadu, were here to stay.

He is yet to decide the constituency he will fight the elections from and refrained from hazarding a guess on the total number of seats his party would capture.

As a prelude to his imminent political role, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on Friday hoisted the national tricolour at his new party office here.

The actor, who is scheduled to announce his political entry at a press conference here on Sunday next, unfurled the tricolour at the party office in posh Jubilee Hills.

Clad in a white kurta and pyjama, he came to the party office at 11:00 am and waved to a large number of his fans who had gathered outside the office building.

Looking cheerful, he spent time with a group of mentally-challenged children.

Talking to reporters after hoisting the national flag, Chiranjeevi said he was reminded of his experience as an NCC cadet while in college.

"I was very active in NCC. The flag hoisting and singing the national anthem myself remind me those days. I hope for good days for all of us," he said.

Chiranjeevi had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi as an NCC cadet in the early 70s.
The mega star of Telugu cinema is scheduled to announce his political foray on Sunday next.

"Chiranjeevi will announce on 17th that he is entering politics," his brother-in-law and noted film producer Allu Aravind said last night.

The announcement would be followed by a massive public meeting on August 26 in Tirupati where the actor is expected to outline the policies and programmes of his party.

It was the 2002 superhit Telugu film `Indra' that first gave broad hints that Chiranjeevi was getting ready for a political innings.

In his film `Tagore', the megastar, was a crusader against corruption and projected as a man of the masses, a potential leader with a heart of gold.

Chiranjeevi is trying to do an N T Rama Rao who formed his Telugu Desam in 1982 and became Chief Minister a year later.

NTR, by virtue of having played Rama and Krishna on the big screen, was quite easily accepted as a political God by the Telugus. Chiranjeevi started as a villain on screen and eventually turned into a mass hero, a man of action.

After 30 years of donning the greasepaint, Chiranjeevi is now trying to carefully script a new career.

There may be no one overtly directing him, but the cameras will continue to be trained on him.

The actor who is one of the best dancers in Indian cinema, would hope he is not out of step in the murky cesspool of Indian politics.