A thought about Annaya Chiranjeevi is always a source of joy. While I walk along the memory lane on this special day ,these are few memories I have tumbled upon.
In our childhood, he went away from home to pursue his college education in Narsapur. And his homecoming for summer holidays was a festive season. A big pain and disappointment used to follow when he used to go back for his college. We all used to miss his absence and feel the vacuum. Home was never vibrant till he was back.
In my school days, just walking beside him was a proud moment. I used to feel like I am walking with the world’s most important person; by then, he was just in college.
When he used to ride my father’s bike (Bullet – 350 cc) with his curly long hair, fit NCC Cadet body with bell bottoms and glasses – oh! it was an absolutely fanboy and hero-worshipping moment.
My Annaya was always a Hero for me even before he became a Hero.
In the early days of his film career, he brought a big blue bag from his first Singapore trip. In that blue bag I found my first tiny Lego helicopter, few remote cars, racing track, some comics, music tapes, tape recorder ,scented Yardley Co. powders, soaps ,few perfumes and other small gifts to others. He always brought us joy and smiles into our small home.
In subsequent years, when he got married, I was worried that he would be away from all of us. And I was crying silently in a room. Then he brought my Vadina and said, “Come, I will introduce you to a big man (Pedda Manishi) today.” They both were laughing while they found the reason for my tears.
Then, following years, I was taken to Chennai (then Madras) to stay with Annaya and Vadina. I don’t have enough words for the love and care they showered on me.
I had seen his struggle, hard work and injuries in shoots. Everyday he used to reach home in the middle of the night after 18 hours shift of laborious work in his sweat-drenched costumes and shoes in the Chennai’s heat and humidity; with hardly any strength to stand…
I used to feel guilty for living off on his hard work and sacrifice. But he never even uttered a word about my academic failures and lack of direction in my life.
The way he lighted up our family and relatives with his generosity and he extended the same spirit to his friends, producers, film fraternity and everyone he touched. He is one of the primary and key persons who acted as a cultural bridge between the South and Hindi film industry.He always believed in Indian cinema. Pratibandh and Aaj Ka GoondaRaj were two of his blockbusters in Hindi.
A tech-savvy person, his astounding medical knowledge, his philanthropic nature, a family man, superstardom to megastardom, Central Cabinet Minister, National Awards, highest civilian honors (Padma Vibhushan).
What he hadn’t seen and achieved, but he never rests. After a major spinal operation recently, he bounces back within no time with his strength training and goes back to work. Like a city never sleeps, he’s a man who never rests. He’s born with an unstoppable motor within. That’s why he’s become our beloved ‘Mega Star’ and my only Hero.
Let ‘Mother Nature’ provide you my Dear Annaya Chiranjeevi abundant health, super strength and astounding victories on your life path.
Wishing my Annaya on his birthday is not a formality but a gentle reminder to many like me ; how his life has impacted, influenced and transformed millions like me to build a better future and to lay a stronger foundations for the land of Bharath -we all adore and worship.
HBD Mega Star Chiranjeevi..
