Top 10 Award-Winning Movies of Telugu SuperStar Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi is a legendary Indian film actor and politician known for his contributions to Telugu cinema. He was born Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad in Mogalthur, Andhra Pradesh, on August 22, 1955. He has acted in over 150 films in a career spanning more than three decades. Chiranjeevi is known for his versatility as an actor and has won several awards, including the highly coveted Padma Bhushan award from the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, in 2006. Chiranjeevi has a massive fan base not only in South India, but also throughout India and other countries. In 1987, he became the first South Indian actor to receive an Oscar invitation, proving that his fame had gone global. Even after these many years in the film industry, Chiranjeevi, affectionately known as Chiru and Mega Star by his admirers, continues to enthral his audience with his movies.

Today, Top 10s Only takes an indepth look at the Top 10 Award-Winning Movies of Telugu SuperStar Chiranjeevi that defined him as one of the great actors of all time. 

List Of Top 10 Award-Winning Movies of Telugu SuperStar Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi made his acting debut in 1978 with the film Punadhirallu. However, it was his role in the 1982 film Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya that propelled him into the limelight as a lead actor. He then began appearing in films with distinctly diverse roles that established him as an iconic figure in the Telugu film industry. Chiranjeevi produced one blockbuster film after another during the 1980s and 1990s. A. Kodandarami Reddy’s 1983 film Khaidi, in which Chiranjeevi starred, was such a smash blockbuster that he became an overnight mega-celebrity, and it was the best Chiranjeevi movies of all time. Aside from his action-packed roles in movies, he is renowned for his spectacular dances and emotionally-charged dialogue delivery. His films have a reputation for providing excellent entertainment while also conveying important social messages to their audiences.

Here are the top 10 Chiranjeevi movies that won awards for his best performances.

1. Subhalekha (1982)

Subhalekha, a comedy-drama Telugu movie made in 1982, is Chiranjeevi’s most critically acclaimed work to date. It was directed by K. Viswanath and financed by V. V. Sastry and Allu Aravind. Chiranjeevi and Sumalata are the lead stars of the movie. This film also had notable performances by veteran actors Allu Ramalingaiah and Satyanarayana. The film dealt with the societal issue of the dowry system and its detrimental effects on individuals and relationships. 

The movie explored the societal evil of the dowry system. Chiranjeevi played the role of Murthy, who befriends and supports Sujatha (played by Sumalatha) after she rejects a proposal from a well-to-do family that demands dowry. Their friendship is mistaken for love, and she is disowned by her own family. This leaves her heartbroken. Murthy helps her find a job and helps her take a stand for herself and her sister as well. How they do it and what their relationship leads to form the crux of the story.

The movie became a sensational hit and was deemed a success at the box office. Chiranjeevi won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his exceptional performance in this film. He portrays Murthi with a genial and easygoing charm, delivering an excellent performance as the faithful and kind-hearted character.

2. Vijetha (1982)

Chiranjeevi, Bhanupriya, and J. V. Somayajulu star in A. Kodandarami Reddy’s 1985 Indian Telugu film Vijetha, which was produced by Allu Aravind. This heartwarming film was a huge commercial success at the box office, with memorable performances by the entire cast. 

One of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s best films, the story is of Madhusudhana Rao, aka Chinnababu (Chiranjeevi), a hopeful football player with a nice disposition. Yet, his father doesn’t quite encourage a football career. Chinnababu is in love with the lovely Priyadarshani (Bhanupriya), who showed interest in the sport of football that he prefers to play. The film explores various situations Chinnababu and his family find themselves in, especially due to financial constraints. In the course of the film, his family finds it difficult to secure enough funding for his little sister’s wedding. Chinnababu must now figure out how to wed her sister respectably. The film ends with a surprising twist that proves how family ties are more important than anything in the world. 

Playing the role of Chinnababu was a defining moment for Chiranjeevi, as it showcased his acting prowess and changed the way people perceived him. It was this role that won him his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Telugu.

3. Swayam Krushi (1987)

K. Viswanath wrote and directed the highly successful drama film Swayam Krushi. Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti play important roles in the movie. The film charts the rise of a self-educated cobbler from poverty to affluence and is a notable film among actor Chiranjeevi’s top hit movies list.  

Chiranjeevi plays the role of Sambayya, an illiterate cobbler who manages the upbringing of his nephew Chinna, whom he loves as his own son. Simultaneously, he also helps Sharada (portrayed by Sumalatha), an orphan on whom he has a crush, by paying for her education. In an unexpected turn of events, Sarada marries another man. Sambayya eventually marries Ganga (Vijayshanti), a nurse who loves him so much that she undergoes a tubectomy to prove herself as a capable guardian for his nephew. Together, they embark on a successful shoe business venture. Sambayya’s dedication to Chinna is evident throughout the film, even when Chinna’s villainous father, Sambayya’s brother-in-law (portrayed by Charan Raj), returns to assume guardianship of the boy. 

The audience was highly impressed with the inspirational rags-to-riches tale depicted in the film Swayam Krushi. It is one of the reasons behind this movie’s cult status in Telugu cinema. The film received critical acclaim for its social message and Chiranjeevi’s performance, and consequently, it was a commercial success at the box office. The movie was shown at the Asia Pacific Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, and the Moscow International Film Festival’s special mention section after being dubbed into Russian. For his exceptionally realistic performance, Chiranjeevi won the Indian Express Best Actor and the Nandi Award for Best Actor awards.

4. Aapadbandhavudu (1992)

Aapadbandhavudu is a top-rated Chiranjeevi award-winning drama film that was released in 1992 and was directed by K. Viswanath. The movie, which was made by Edida Nageswara Rao’s Poornodaya Cinema Productions, starred Meenakshi Seshadri and Chiranjeevi in the lead roles. The film had a number of notable actors, such as Geetha Kadambee, Sarath Babu, Brahmanandam, Allu Ramalingaiah, etc.

In this highly popular Telugu film of the 1990s, Chiranjeevi plays the role of the cowherd Madhava, who works for the father of Hema (Meenakshi Seshadri). Despite their love for one another, Hema and Madhava are unable to acknowledge it due to social barriers. Hema is placed in a psychiatric hospital after a terrible event in her life wipes off her memory. Madhava acts like a mentally ill person too, and goes into the facility to assist and save her. The story then focuses on the many situations that arise at the asylum and Hema’s gradual return to normalcy. 

This movie featured several unforgettable moments, particularly when Chiranjeevi assumed the role of a mentally disabled person to rescue Meenakshi from danger. Additionally, his portrayal of Lord Shiva was well-received by the audience. Aapadbandhavudu fetched both the Nandi Award and the Filmfare Award for Chiranjeevi. 

5. Muta Mesthri (1993)

A. Kodandarami Reddy directed the 1993 Indian Telugu action drama movie Muta Mestri. Chiranjeevi, Roja, Sharat Saxena, and Meena all have significant parts in the movie. Actors  Allu Ramalingaiah, Mansoor Ali Khan, Gummadi, Brahmanandam, etc., all have important roles in this film.

This action-packed movie sees actor Chiranjeevi portraying the role of an extremely patriotic guy called Bose who battles the villain Atma Ram (Sharat Saxena), a local mafia don, for the rights of the market workers in his community. The Chief Minister (Gummadi), impressed by his commitment to aiding the working poor, asks him to enter politics. He leads a specialised branch of commandos in his capacity as a politician to put an end to Atma’s unlawful activities. The plot intensifies when Aatma falsely accuses Bose’s sister of prostitution as vengeance, and she then kills herself on the courthouse steps. The film then focuses on Bose’s quest for vengeance.

The movie did extremely well at the box office. This is one of Chiranjeevi’s blockbuster award-winning movies that you cannot miss. For his powerful performance in the movie, Chiranjeevi received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Telugu). 

6. Sneham Kosam (1999)

A. M. Ratnam produced this top Telugu movie of Chiranjeevi. The drama film Sneham Kosam, was released in 1999 under the Sri Surya Pictures label. With Chiranjeevi playing both father and son, this K.S. The Ravikumar-directed movie also features Vijayakumar, Meena, and Prakash Raj in supporting roles. The movie is a remake of Natpukkaga, a Tamil film directed by Ravikumar.

In Sneham Kosam, Chiranjeevi plays the dual role of an estranged father, Simhadri, and his son Chinnayya. The plot occasionally has flashbacks of the past, in which Simhadri is shown as a loyal servant to a wealthy man (portrayed by Vijayakumar) who has two daughters. In the present, Simhadri’s son, Chinnayya, is shown working for the same family. However, he has cut off ties with his father after the latter was accused of murdering the rich man’s wife. The plot twist happens when Chinnayya is falsely accused of molestation by the youngest daughter, Prabhavathi (Meena), despite the fact that they both appear to be in love. These unexpected developments hook viewers, and the remainder of the movie focuses on unravelling a number of mysteries.

The movie was declared a massive family entertainer, was one of 1999’s biggest hits, and had a massive box office collection. The movie was played in 89 theatres for 50 days and in 52 theatres for 100 days. Once again, Chiranjeevi’s stellar performance in the film led him to receive yet another Filmfare Award in the Best Actor category.

7. Indra (2002)

Directed and produced by B. Gopal and C. Aswani Dutt, Indra is a Telugu action-drama film that features Chiranjeevi, Aarthi Agarwal, and Sonali Bendre in the lead roles. One of megastar Chiranjeevi’s top 10 movies, it was a hugely successful film that was enjoyed by audiences and critics alike. 

Indra is a classic revenge tale that spans generations. Chiranjeevi plays the role of Shankar Narayana, a taxi driver and boat owner in Varanasi. Initially, he is shown as a simple man with typical family and financial issues. However, as the film progresses, his true identity is revealed. He is identified as Indrasena “Indra” Reddy, the heir of a prominent family that has been engaged in a generation-spanning clan war with another prominent family in their area. The story follows a non-linear format that shifts back and forth between the present and the past. The transformation of Indra Reddy into Shankar Narayana and back is vividly shown throughout the film. 

The film is a testament to the true acting prowess of this great actor, who brings to life the various facets of this role. Indra was a huge success, and it garnered more awards for this great actor. Chiranjeevi received both the Nandi Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

8. Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004)

Chiranjeevi was always great in action roles. However, it was the film Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. that showcased the actor’s flair for comic roles. Released in 2004, this movie was directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee, and it is one of Chiranjeevi’s most popular award-winning films. The film has Srikanth, Sonali Bendre, Paresh Rawal, and Girish Karnad in pivotal roles. 

This film sees Chiranjeevi playing the role of a local thug named Shankar Dada, who runs a crime circuit with his trusted aide, Madhusudhan aka ATM (played by Srikanth). To make his parents happy, he poses as a doctor. Dr. Rama Lingeswara Rao (Paresh Rawal), dean of Hyderabad’s largest medical college, reveals to Shankar Dada’s parents the truth as to who he really is. Devastated, they sever ties with him and return to their village. A broken-hearted Shankar Dada decides to join a medical school to gain an MBBS degree, so as to patch things up with his parents.  He ends up in the college headed by Dr. Rama Lingeswara Rao and from that point on, the story is one fun-filled roller-coaster ride! 

Chiranjeevi excelled in his role as the big thug with the giant heart. Throughout the film, the audiences are taken on a fantastically hilarious journey, interspersed with sombre scenes that show innate human goodness. A huge hit at the box office, Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.fetched Chiranjeevi the South Filmfare Awards’ 2005 Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

9. Khaidi No. 150 (2017)

Tackling social issues is always tough, and bringing it to the forefront in a mass entertainer is even tougher. However, Khaidi No. 150 manages to do just that! It is definitely one of the must-watch award-winning movies of Chiranjeevi. This immensely successful Telugu action film was produced by Konidela Production and Lyca Production Company and directed by V. V. Vinayak. This was the remake of the Tamil film Kaththi, which had superstar Thalapathy Vijay in the lead. Khaidi No. 150 had Chiranjeevi playing the protagonist alongside Kajal Aggarwal. This was Chiranjeevi’s 150th film and his first lead role in almost ten years.

In Khaidi No. 150, Chiranjeevi plays the highly diverse dual roles of an escaped convict named Kaththi Seenu and a social activist named Shankar. The story primarily revolves around Kaththi Seenu, who is mistaken for Shankar and is forced to take his place to help poor villagers who are being exploited by a corrupt corporate company.The film’s highlight is the ease with which Chiranjeevi manages to portray two distinctly unique characters with aplomb. Audiences get to see the serious-minded Shanker, who has dedicated his life to a worthy cause, as well as the nonchalant and petty Kaththi Seenu, who is slowly transforming himself into a better person.

With over 164 crores (about US$21 million) in international revenue, Khaidi No. 150 became the second-highest-grossing Telugu movie of 2017. The film received positive reviews for its social message. Chiranjeevi’s dual-role performance was appreciated by audiences and critics alike. He won the 16th Santosham Film Awards and the 65th Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 2017 for this movie.

10.   Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) 

Looking for Chiranjeevi’s best performances in award-winning movies? Then this next film is what you need! Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is a film that showcases the sheer acting prowess of the megastar Chiranjeevi. This 2019 fictional historical action film, produced by Chiranjeevi’s son, Ram Charan’s Konidela Production Company, was directed by Surender Reddy. The movie, inspired by the events in the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, a well-known Indian freedom fighter, stars Chiranjeevi as the title character. The film’s narrative was written by Surender Reddy based on a unique scenario that the Paruchuri brothers provided. The movie also stars Tamannaah, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, Jagapathi Babu, and Sudeep. Thespian actor Amitabh Bachchan also makes a cameo appearance in this film.

The movie chronicles Narasimha Reddy’s struggle against the British East India Company’s control. Chiranjeevi plays the role of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, a chieftain of over sixty-six villages who revolts against the control and abuses of the East India Company. He attacks and overthrew British Army camps, which made him a formidable challenge to colonial power. The movie takes a look at the dramatic sequence of events that led to his capture and eventual execution.

Chiranjeevi’s performance in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy was widely appreciated by critics and audiences alike. His action sequences in the film were also highly praised, and he was able to show off his skills in sword fighting and horse riding. He delivered a powerful portrayal of the titular character and brought his larger-than-life personality to the screen. Chiranjeevi’s portrayal of Narasimha Reddy was intense and emotional, and he effortlessly conveyed the character’s struggles and motivations. Overall, Chiranjeevi’s role in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy was a standout performance that showcased his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray complex characters with ease. This is unquestionably one of the best top 10 Chiranjeevi movies that won awards.

In conclusion, Chiranjeevi has acted in numerous films and has won several awards for his exceptional performances. The top 10 award-winning movies of the actor showcase his versatility and talent as an actor. From his early career to his recent films, Chiranjeevi has delivered memorable performances that have earned him critical acclaim and a massive fan following. Each of the movies on this list has its unique story, characters, and cinematic style, but they all have one thing in common, the presence of Chiranjeevi. These movies are a testament to the actor’s incredible acting skills and dedication to his craft, and they are definitely worth watching for any movie enthusiast.

We hope you enjoyed our list of the Top 10 Award-Winning Movies Of Telugu Superstar Chiranjeevi. Let us know in the comment section which one is your favourite.

Still looking for more great Telugu movies to watch this weekend? Check out the movies listed in the Top 10 Must-Watch Movies of Mahesh Babu article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Telugu SuperStar Chiranjeevi, aka Chiru

1. How many Filmfare Awards have been won by Chiranjeevi?

As per current reports, Chiranjeevi is the recipient of nine Filmfare Awards. He won the Best Actor award for the films Subhalekha, Vijetha, Aapadbandhavudu, Muta Mesthri, Sneham Kosam, Indra, and Shankar Dada MBBS. He also won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South) in 2010. Have a look at the films with the best Chiranjeevi award-winning roles mentioned in this article.

2. How many Nandi awards did Chiranjeevi win?

Chiranjeevi has received three Nandi awards to date for Best Actor in movies Swayam Krushi, Aapadbandhavudu, and Indra. He is recognised as one of Indian cinema’s most notable and accomplished performers. His outstanding performances, his contribution to the Telugu film industry, and his portrayal of diverse characters in different genres have cemented his iconic status in the film field. Some of the must-watch award-winning movies of Chiranjeevi are mentioned above in this article.

3. Did Chiranjeevi get a National Award?

With a filmography spanning more than four decades, actor Chiranjeevi is one of the exceptional megastars in the Indian film industry. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2006, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his services to Indian cinema. 

4. For which movie did Chiranjeevi first get an award?

Chiranjeevi played the lead role in K. Viswanath’s film Subhalekha, which explored the societal ills of dowry culture. He received his first Filmfare Award for Telugu’s Best Actor due to his realistic portrayal of the protagonist, Murthy. Chiranjeevi is excellent in the lead role of Murthy. At this point, he was not bound by his image and could fit the role perfectly, like clay. Telugu hero Chiranjeevi’s best old movie, Subhalekha, is award-winning-worthy due to its excellent dialogue, fantastic, unique humour, and lovely direction by K. Viswanath.

5. What was Chiranjeevi’s first hit movie?

Chiranjeevi became extremely famous after starring in the action movie Khaidi (1983). The movie enjoyed tremendous commercial success. It was remade in Kannada and Hindi as Qaidi. In the Telugu film Industry, Telugu hero Chiranjeevi’s top old movie, Khaidi, altered the commercial aspects of cinema and set a new standard for how a hero is portrayed. The largest turning point in Chiranjeevi’s career as a lead hero was this movie, which gave him the reputation of Tollywood’s “Angry Young Man.” People were fascinated to witness an alternative viewpoint of a hero and action scenes presented in such an authentic way, which resulted in him gaining a sizable fan base.