Chiranjeevi, often hailed as the "Megastar" of Telugu cinema, boasts a prolific filmography spanning over four decades. If you are a newbie to the actor-politician’s film career or one of his diehard fans, we have got you covered with a definitive streaming guide to his best movies so that you can know what to watch and where to stream.
From Indra to Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy: How to start with Chiranjeevi’s filmography?
While primarily taking on action roles from his younger years to even now (with his son Ram Charan also excelling as an actor in his own right), Chiranjeevi has enjoyed a stellar commercial film career for years.
To get into his massy action entertainers, Indra can be a good starting point. In Indra, Chiranjeevi mesmerizes as Indrasena Reddy, a powerful and righteous leader who battles against injustice and corruption. His commanding presence and intense portrayal of the character earned him widespread acclaim, solidifying his status as a megastar of Telugu cinema.
An older action classic from even before Indra is Tagore in which Chiranjeevi shines as Professor Tagore, a vigilante who fights against corruption. Khaidi, Stalin, Gang Leader, and Vijetha further demonstrate Chiranjeevi's prowess as an action hero, with each film featuring him in dynamic and memorable roles that showcase his physical prowess and on-screen charisma.
Occasionally Chiranjeevi can strike an emotional chord with particularly nuanced roles that rely more on his dramatic prowess than action star charisma. A case in point is Swayam Krushi that finds him playing a compassionate cobbler striving to provide education to underprivileged children. His sensitive portrayal of the empathetic protagonist resonated deeply with audiences, highlighting his ability to evoke empathy and emotion on screen.
Some of his best genre detours include the fantasy comedy Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari and the medical comedy Shankar Dada MBBS. While the former sees Chiranjeevi as Raju, a reincarnated prince who battles against evil forces, the latter was a remake of the Bollywood cult comedy Munnabhai MBBS with Chiranjeevi playing a local goon who changes his ways after joining medical school.
While Chiranjeevi’s recent work has often polarized critics and reviews, a notable highlight from this later stage has been the historical action epic Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Set a decade before the trailblazing Revolt of 1857, the biopic honours the freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy who led his forces against the tyrannical East India Company. The movie also found him sharing screen space with other Indian A-listers like Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and Tamil character actor Vijay Sethupathi.
Why is Rudra Veena Chiranjeevi’s best movie to watch?
Perhaps his most socially impactful movie, Rudra Veena featured Chiranjeevi in a socially conscious role as Shiva Kesava, a singer who confronts caste discrimination. His nuanced performance in this critically acclaimed film highlights his versatility, earning him accolades for his portrayal of the complex protagonist. Rudra Veena bears testimony to the fact that with the right script, Chiranjeevi can be more than just a mainstream action hero.
Where can you stream Chiranjeevi’s best movies?
You can watch most of Chiranjeevi’s older movies on Amazon Prime Video, Aha, and Eros Now. As for his newer titles, you can try either Prime Video or Netflix. Jio Cinema and ZEE5 also offer some options that are free to watch, such as Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari and Tagore.
