Chiranjeevi turns 71: Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Mammootty lead birthday wishes
Synopsis
Chiranjeevi's 71st birthday became a moment of industry-wide reflection, with stars from Mammootty to Mahesh Babu and son Ram Charan flooding social media with tributes. Director Srikanth Odela's post also teased an eagerly awaited collaboration — making this birthday more than just a celebration.
Key Takeaways
Chiranjeevi celebrated his 71st birthday on 22 August , drawing tributes from across the Indian film industry.
Mammootty , Allu Arjun , Mahesh Babu , and Nani were among the stars who posted birthday wishes on X .
Ram Charan called Chiranjeevi his 'first hero' and 'biggest inspiration' in a heartfelt personal tribute.
Dasara director Srikanth Odela hinted at an upcoming film collaboration with Chiranjeevi in his birthday post.
Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga said Chiranjeevi's films 'marked our lives,' reflecting his cross-generational influence.
Megastar Chiranjeevi celebrated his 71st birthday on Saturday, 22 August, as the Telugu and broader Indian film industry came together on social media to honour the actor who has defined decades of South Indian cinema. From superstars to debut directors, tributes poured in across platforms, underscoring Chiranjeevi's enduring influence on multiple generations of filmmakers and fans.
Stars Speak Out
Superstar Mammootty posted on X (formerly Twitter): 'Wishing you a very happy birthday dear Chiru Bhai!! Here's to a very happy and successful year ahead. Stay healthy and blessed.' Allu Arjun, fresh off the blockbuster success of Pushpa, wrote: 'Many many happy returns of the day to our one and only Megastar. He inspired and uplifted each and every one of us.'
Mahesh Babu added his voice with characteristic warmth: 'Happy Birthday Chiru sir… Wishing you good health, happiness and many more years of us celebrating you with love.' Actor Nani offered a poetic tribute on the micro-blogging platform, calling Chiranjeevi 'the designer of every youngster's dream who walks into Telugu cinema with hope to become something.'
Directors and Colleagues Join In
Venkatesh Daggubati wished the megastar 'good health and happiness always.' Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted on his official handle: 'Your films didn't just mark an era, they marked our lives. You are not just our cinema… you are a very big part of our lives.' Dasara director Srikanth Odela also posted a birthday message, writing: 'Happy Birthday, T-REX Megastar Chiranjeevi Sir. Waiting eagerly to start our film's shoot and create unforgettable memories' — hinting at an upcoming collaboration. Director Anil Ravipudi praised Chiranjeevi's warmth beyond stardom, referring to him fondly as 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.'
Son Ram Charan's Heartfelt Message
Among the most moving tributes came from Chiranjeevi's actor son, Ram Charan, who called his father his 'first hero' in a personal post: 'Happy Birthday Nanna… You have been my first hero, my biggest inspiration and someone I can always turn to. Through every high and low, your love, guidance and belief in me have been my greatest strength. I feel truly blessed to have you in my life. Wishing you good health, happiness and many more wonderful years ahead. Love you more than words can say, Nanna.'
Chiranjeevi's Legacy
Having debuted in Telugu cinema decades ago, Chiranjeevi has starred in over 150 films and remains one of the highest-grossing stars in Indian cinema history. His influence extends beyond the screen — he founded the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank and served as a Union Minister. Notably, the outpouring from directors like Srikanth Odela and Sandeep Reddy Vanga — both representatives of a younger wave of Telugu filmmaking — signals that his cultural authority is not merely nostalgic but actively shapes contemporary cinema. As Chiranjeevi enters his 72nd year, anticipation builds around his upcoming projects, including the collaboration hinted at by Odela.
Point of View
Which has become a brand asset in its own right. The Odela collaboration tease, buried in a birthday post, is the kind of soft announcement that generates search traffic without a formal press release — a reminder that in Telugu film culture, a star's birthday is also a business event.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Chiranjeevi in 2024?
Chiranjeevi turned 71 on 22 August 2024. He has been active in Telugu cinema for several decades and remains one of the industry's most celebrated stars.
What did Ram Charan say on Chiranjeevi's birthday?
Ram Charan called Chiranjeevi his 'first hero' and 'biggest inspiration' in a personal social media post, adding: 'Through every high and low, your love, guidance and belief in me have been my greatest strength.'
Which film is Srikanth Odela planning with Chiranjeevi?
Dasara director Srikanth Odela posted that he is 'waiting eagerly to start our film's shoot and create unforgettable memories' with Chiranjeevi, though no further details about the project have been officially announced.
Who are some of the stars who wished Chiranjeevi on his 71st birthday?
Mammootty, Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Nani, Venkatesh Daggubati, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Srikanth Odela, Anil Ravipudi, and Ram Charan were among those who publicly wished Chiranjeevi on his 71st birthday.
Why is Chiranjeevi called the Megastar?
Chiranjeevi earned the title 'Megastar' for his extraordinary box-office dominance and cultural influence in Telugu cinema spanning over four decades, having appeared in more than 150 films and built a legacy that extends to philanthropy and politics.
