Chiranjeevi may recreate NTR's magic

From a nondescript village in coastal Andhra Pradesh to stardom in tinseltown and then to the centrestage of politics, the rise of Chiranjeevi is akin to the action-filled blockbusters which he has been associated with in the last three decades.
As the 53-year-old reigning star of Telugu cinema gears up for his new role in politics, the question uppermost in the minds of observers is whether he can recreate the magic of NTR who had stormed to power within nine months of floating TDP in 1983, a feat that has no parallel in India's political history.
Dark and handsome, Chiru, as he is referred to in film circles, is a mass hero in the mould of late N T Rama Rao and his image is one of a kind-hearted do-gooder and a loving family man.
Also read: Chiranjeevi takes political plunge His admirers are hopeful that their hero will revive the magic of NTR, the demi-god of the film world, and capture power in next year's elections while some others argue that his entry will herald a coalition era in State politics and he could at best play the role of a kingmaker.
Chiranjeevi, a Padma Bhushan awardee who has acted in 148 films in his three-decade long career, is among the highest paid actors in the country and has a massive following, particularly among the youth.
His success in Tollywood, traditionally dominated by a handful of powerful families, was particularly sweet as he had no family connection in the industry and his rise was attributed to his grit, determination and hard work.
Soft-spoken and sensitive, Chiranjeevi donned villain roles in the initial stages of his career and then went on to become a popular hero, known for his dancing skills.
As a prelude to donning political robes, the cost accountant-turned-film star has been quietly making efforts to build a larger-than-life image for himself. His recent films, loaded with messages, provide a glimpse of his political aspirations.
Like his pot-boilers which offer tantalizing precursors before his grand entry on the screen, his political foray was preceded by unprecedented media hype as local newspapers and television channels came up with breathless coverage, speculating about the muhurat for the party's launch.
Born on August 22, 1955 in Mogalturu, a remote village in the coastal district of West Godavari, Chiranjeevi's original name was Konidela Siva Shankara Varaprasad.
Eldest of three sons of an excise constable, he attended schools in five different places in the district because of his father's frequent transfers. After graduating in commerce from Narasapur College, he moved to Chennai to seek a career in the film industry and joined a film institute in 1977.
With no family connection with the film industry, Chiranjeevi's was a lone journey from rags to riches.
He got a break in 1978 with Punaadi Raallu but was noticed for his brief role in Bapu's major hit Manavoori Pandavulu.
There was no looking back then and his action scenes and dancing become quite popular with the masses.
He married Surekha, daughter of popular yesteryear comedian Allu Ramalingayya, in 1980.
Chiranjeevi rose to fame with his first big hit Khaidi in 1983, a film that gave him the image of an action hero. He churned out a string of blockbusters in the 1980s including Challenge, Abhilasha, Rakshasudu, Pasivadi Pranam.
Moving beyond his action hero image, Chiru donned a wide range of roles in the 1990s with loaded political messages like Hitler, Indra, Annayya and Stalin.
His latest ventures were Shankar Dada MBBS -- a remake of the Bollywood hit film Munnabhai MBBS and Shankar Dada Zindabad, a remake of Lage Raho Munnabhai.
Chiranjeevi has won the State government's Nandi award for best actor thrice and the Filmfare (Telugu) award seven times. He was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2006 for his contribution to Telugu cinema.
Chiru's entry is expected to alter the political equations in the State which is presently dominated by two main players -- Congress and TDP.
The Left parties, who are keen on building a third front, are looking up to the actor to provide the leadership.
The "Chiru fever" has already gripped the State with the main parties feeling the heat in the face of desertions.
The ruling Congress MP from Narsapur has already announced that he would resign from the party on the day Chiranjeevi announces the new party.
Several frontline TDP leaders, including Rajya Sabha member C Ramachandraiah, former minister K Vidyadhar Rao and former MP B Nagi Reddy, have quit the party and are likely to join the actor's camp.
When NTR emerged on the political scene, the Congress was the only dominant force in the State while Chiranjeevi now has to compete with several parties for political space.
With identity politics gaining strength, multiple political parties establishing their guaranteed vote banks and growing aspirational levels, the ageing actor may find it difficult to garner support from across the communities despite considerable fan following.
Another key factor is the growing perception that his party may be branded as an outfit of Kapus, a numerically strong community to which he belongs.
The Kapu leaders across the political spectrum see him as a rallying point to build a third alternative and end the domination of the Congress and TDP.
He is also being projected as a crusader of backward classes yearning for their share of political power.
As Chiranjeevi relies heavily on his brother-in-law and noted producer Allu Aravind and actor-brothers Nagendra Babu and Pavan Kalyan, the new party runs the risk of being controlled by a coterie of family members.
The actor also faces tough options on the ticklish issues like the demand for separate Telangana State, categorisation of scheduled castes and Backward Class status to Kapu community.
Though Chiranjeevi has a major following in the coastal districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Gunur and Visakhapatnam, his pan-Andhra impact is yet to be tested.
The coming elections will serve as an acid test for his make-over from a film star to a successful politician.
courtesy: http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14741334