Chiranjeevi-interview
Andhra University anounced that the university would confer the honorary doctorate to megastar Chiranjeevi. The award will be given to Chiranjeevi on Nov 6th. Soon after the anouncement, Chiranjeevi talks to the media at Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust. Here is a special interview with megastar.
This year you have received the third highest civilian award, Padmabhushan. And now comes honorary doctorate. Do you feel the academia and government is started recognizing your social service?
Let me first share my happiness with you. I really feel 2006 has been a very wonderful year. Early this year, I was awarded with Padmabhushan. That was an honor from the central government. This time I am I get honorary doctorate from our very own state university. My happiness has no bounds. There is a saying in Telugu that Inta Gelichi Raccha Gelavali. In my case it happened in reverse. Even though, a bit late, I am happy with doctorate honour.
This encouragement from home turf gives me strive hard.
I don’t know whether they have decided to confer the doctorate for my social service or for my excellence in the arts field for 28 years.
Which do you prefer to call by - Megastar Chiranjeevi, Padmabhushan Chiranjeevi or Doctor Chiranjeevi?
(laughs) Just before I am coming over here, my kids have expressed the same doubt. But, these are just adjectives. Whether you call by them or not, I prefer my fans and well-wishers to say ‘mana Chrianjeevi’. The feeling that Chiranjeevi is yours is important.
So would you expand your social activities?
Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust is already into Blood donation and Eye donation activities. Apart from this, I am also one of the board of directors for Naandi Foundation that works for the development of rural areas in our state. I will be working for making the dream of providing potable water to every village in the state.
Other than this, I have decided to participate in HIV/AIDS awareness programmes.
Your social service has limitations. Do you have plans to jump into political arena and serve the public with more access?
I am happy that I am working in my range with its own limitations. Yet, this moment, I don’t see any reason to join the politics.
There is a speculation that you’d do Lage Raho Munnabhai in Telugu. What’s your comment?
I would love to do the film provided the ‘rate for remake rights of the film comes down’. I have seen it and liked it very much. I have played many message-oriented characters recently. If I would do the film, I will be treated as Gandheyavadi. I am an ardent follower of Gandhism.
But the problem is that the producers bought the rights for remake for the entire South Indian languages for astronomical price. Having seen my views in media, the makers now decided to cut down the price for it. If they reduce the price, I will do it. Let’s see.
Power Star Pawan Kalyan, Srikanth,Allu Arjun and even others attended the function.
