Renowned actor Megastar Chiranjeevi was bestowed with the esteemed Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, on Thursday, by the Government of India.
The grand ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital, where Chiranjeevi was felicitated with the prestigious award by President Droupadi Murmu, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The announcement of this year’s Padma awards recipients was made on Republic Day Evening, and Chiranjeevi’s name stood out among the honorees.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the special recognition, Chiranjeevi remarked, “Upon hearing this news, I was left speechless. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by this honor. It is the unconditional and invaluable love of the people, audiences, fans, my brethren, and my sisters that have enabled me to attain this milestone. I owe my life and this moment to all of you. I endeavor to express my gratitude in every possible way, although I realize it can never be enough.”
Chiranjeevi has carved a niche for himself in the film industry with his influential and versatile performances in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada cinema. With iconic films like ‘Vijetha’, ‘Indra’, ‘Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.’, and his recent appearance in ‘Bholaa Shankar’, he has captivated audiences over the years. Beginning his illustrious career in 1978 with the film ‘Punadhirallu’, Chiranjeevi continues to enthrall audiences with his acting prowess.
Noteworthy is his familial association with the Telugu film industry, being the father of actor Ram Charan Teja and the uncle of esteemed actors like Allu Arjun, Allu Sirish, Varun Tej, Niharika, and Sai Dharam Tej.