The mega force behind Megastar Chiranjeevi is his mother Anjanamma. Chiranjeevi and his four siblings share a great bond with Anjanamma. On the occasion of Women’s Day, Anjanamma, along with her children Chiranjeevi, Naga Babu, Vijaya Durga, and Madhavi, participated in an interview together and shared many things about their relationship and bonding. Here are excerpts:
On whom among the five children did you focus the most?
Naga Babu: Kalyan Babu (Pawan Kalyan). He used to not eat anything. I used to crib a lot if something was cooked that I didn’t like. Annayya used to adjust and eat whatever was cooked. Kalyan Babu used to eat well if something he liked was cooked, but if not, he used to silently leave without eating. He used to silently protest about food. He was also physically weak in childhood. Thus, Amma used to focus on him a lot.Naga Babu: A hug from my mother is the best thing for me. She didn’t study much or have exposure, but she made sure to keep every one of her children together. She is the invisible force that is bonding us together. She is the main reason behind us staying united.
Were there only happy memories, or were there any unforgettable sad moments in your childhood?
Chiranjeevi: There is one incident that always moves me to tears when I think about it. We are five children for Amma, but she lost three other children either due to miscarriage or at one year or two and a half years of age. When I was in sixth standard, we had a sister named Ramana. At that time, my father used to go to camps often for work. Thus, Amma alone used to take care of us a lot. Ramana was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away in a government hospital. Amma and I carried the dead body in a rickshaw to our home. Father didn’t know the news. We didn’t know how to perform the final rites. At that time, our Muslim neighbours helped us with the rituals. By the time Nanna came after hearing the news, we had completed the final rites.
Who among the five children used to work a lot and who worked the least?
Naga Babu: Annayya used to do all the work, and after that, Vijaya used to help. I didn’t do anything. Annayya was the one who worked the hardest. He also used to get beaten by Nanna a lot. Even after all that, Annayya is the most hyperactive among us. Generally, the eldest son will be sober and calm, but Annayya is completely opposite.
