With a name like Sivasankara Varaprasad, he had no hopes of making it big in films. He changed himself to Chiranjeevi and became a face which could hold sway at the audiences. The superstar from Telugu films proved his mettle in Hindi films also.

So far very few of his films have come. 'Pratibandh' with Juhi Chawla was a runaway success and many thought he could give some of his Hindi opposite numbers a run for their money. But nothing of that sort happened and everyone hailed a sigh of relief. But nevertheless he was nominated for the best actor awards in 1991.

Mahesh Bhatt's south remake 'The Gentleman' with Juhi Chawla again could not do much for him in the Bollywood front. Chiranjeevi may be the superstar of south, but it takes a lot to make your bones in here.