Chiru receives Padma Vibhushan from Prez

Megastar Chiranjeevi was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday at the Padma Award ceremony held in the illustrious Darbar Hall.
Accompanied by his wife Surekha, son and actor Ram Charan, and daughter-in-law Upasana Konidela, Chiranjeevi graciously accepted the prestigious accolade amid resounding cheers from the audience.
Clad in a dignified dark bandh gala suit, Chiranjeevi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi before receiving the commendation scroll from the President. Seated among fellow awardees, he shared a moment beside veteran actor Vyjayanthimala before his recognition.
Reflecting on the honour, Chiranjeevi expressed profound gratitude, stating, “I am overwhelmed, humbled, and grateful. It is only the unconditional love of the audience, my friends, my blood brothers, and my sisters. I owe this life and moment to you. I have always tried to express my gratitude in the ways I can. But, nothing can be ever enough.”
With a prolific career spanning decades and approximately 160 films to his credit, Chiranjeevi had previously been conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2006, marking this as his second Padma Award.
 Notably, the actor temporarily delved into politics after his 2007 film “Shankar Dada Zindabad,” founding the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, before returning to cinema in 2017 with “Khaidi No 150.”
Chiranjeevi’s cinematic repertoire extends across multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada, with notable works such as “Rudra Veena,” “Indra,” “Tagore,” “Swayam Krushi,” “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy,” “Stalin,” and “Gang Leader.”
Beyond his cinematic prowess, Chiranjeevi is renowned for his philanthropic endeavours. He established the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust in 1998, encompassing notable initiatives such as eye and blood banks. Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he spearheaded initiatives including oxygen banks, ambulances for patients, and a vaccine drive for film workers, alongside garnering donations for those affected by halted film shoots.