At IFFI 2022 closing ceremony, Chiranjeevi vows never to quit films for politics: ‘I am a slave to the love of Telugu film fans’
The 53rd International Film Festival of India presented the Indian Film Personality of the Year award to Telugu actor Chiranjeevi (IFFI). The 67-year-old icon thanked the film business and his supporters after earning the honour.
“I thank IFFI and government of India for giving me this wonderful award and great honour. Few recognitions are special, and this award is one such. I was born into a middle-class family, to humble parents. My fame, name, charisma, all privileges, the invaluable love and affection of my fans and everything, I owe to the film industry. I was born as Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad to my parents and I was re-born as Chiranjeevi in the film industry,” he said in his speech.
Chiranjeevi also thought back on his past choice to forego performing in order to pursue his political ambitions. He also pledged never to do it again in the future.
“I have been in the film industry for 45 years. Out of these four and half decades, I spent a decade in politics. For some reason, I had to return to the film industry. At that time, I was skeptical about how people will receive me. (I wondered) will they shower the same kind of love and affection on me. I was having my doubts because the generation has changed. The amount of love and affection and my position in their hearts remained intact, in fact, they have doubled to my surprise. That’s the bonding I have with my fans. I promise my fans that I will never (again) leave the film industry,” he said.
“I am a slave to the love of Telugu film fans around the world. It’s because of that love I’m here today and am being honoured with such awards. I will remain grateful for your love,” the actor added.
Chiranjeevi mentioned Akshay Kumar, who was present in the crowd, in his address. Additionally, he acknowledged Akshay’s vitality and physical fitness.
“Recently, in one of the TV shows, my son Ram Charan and Akshay Kumar shook their legs. He is my friend, but now my son is in competition with him. That is Akshay Kumar’s charisma, power, and energy, he claimed. Chiranjeevi is currently anticipating the release of Waltair Veerayya on the professional front. The movie will debut in theatres in January of next year.
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