Fans Wanted a Photo, I Set a Condition: Chiranjeevi
Megastar Chiranjeevi visited the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, where he honored mega blood donors on Saturday. During the event, he interacted with the donors, highlighting the importance of blood donation and the role of the charitable trust.
Speaking at the event, Chiranjeevi said, "My childhood friend Shankar is the CEO of the blood bank, and another friend, CJS Naidu, serves as the CFO. Swami Naidu, like a tireless soldier, has dedicated his life to this cause. He is my strength. Because of their unwavering support, I have been able to successfully carry forward such initiatives."
Reflecting on the past, Chiranjeevi noted, "Earlier, people were scared to donate blood. Some even demanded money for it. Voluntary blood donation was rare. It pained me to see lives being lost due to the unavailability of blood at the right time. Many died due to excessive bleeding during childbirth, thalassemia, leukemia, or lack of platelets.
"I realized I had a vast fan base, mostly young people. If I could guide them in the right direction, we could achieve something remarkable. That was when I urged Swami Naidu to dedicate himself to this initiative. Initially, I was unsure if fans would willingly donate blood just because I asked them to. So, I set a condition—if they wanted to take a photo with me or meet me, they had to donate blood first."
According to Chiranjeevi, this approach worked wonders. "Young people enthusiastically donated blood and took pictures with me. At first, I wondered if this enthusiasm would last, if those who donated once would return. But today, I see many of you who have donated dozens or even hundreds of times. You have experienced the joy of service, which is why you continue to contribute. Even my son, Ram Charan, wishes to continue these service activities in the future."
Chiranjeevi also shared his thoughts on a recent APTA event. "Before attending, I wondered what to speak about. I am not a businessman, so what could I say? I decided to share my journey—how I started my career and reached this stage. I come from a humble background, but my belief in my talent and strong determination set me apart.
"I created a unique identity in dance and action sequences. Audiences repeatedly watched my performances, and that became my signature style. Because of this, distributors saw potential in my films. They believed that if a film featured me, it would attract audiences and generate revenue. It was the audience who supported me first, and later, the film industry embraced me."
Expressing gratitude, Chiranjeevi said, "I will always be thankful to my audience. It is because of their determination that this blood bank continues to operate. I wish to meet blood donors whenever possible. The Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust is like your home—you can come anytime to donate blood. Love you all!"
