Chiranjeevi’s 70th birthday: Actors film that never reached the silver screen
Today is a very special day in the life of Chiranjeevi, the megastar who gave some of the masterpieces. Dive inside to know more.
New Delhi: Today, August 22, marks the 70th birthday of Tollywood’s iconic superstar Chiranjeevi, a titan whose talent and charisma have captivated millions for decades. While fans celebrate his unforgettable performances and blockbuster hits, many may not know about a fascinating chapter in his career that never saw the light of day: A high-profile film shelved amid a fiery controversy. Let’s rewind to the late 1990s when Chiranjeevi was on the cusp of a groundbreaking Hollywood collaboration that abruptly ended, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
The Untold Story of a Shelved Dream
Chiranjeevi, known for classics like Khaidi, Indra, and Shankar Dada MBBS, reached a historic milestone in the 1990s by becoming the first Indian actor to command a salary of Rs. 1 crore for a film. Riding high on this success, he almost ventured into a unique international project, Abu Baghdad Gaja Donga, a multilingual venture shot simultaneously in Telugu, Hindi, and English.
Helmed by acclaimed director Suresh Krishna with music by AR Rahman, the ambitious project had a staggering budget of Rs. 50 crores, aiming to create a crossover film that could reach diverse audiences. However, after about 20 per cent of the shooting was completed, the film faced an unexpected and intense backlash. Muslim groups protested after scenes allegedly involved dipping pages from the Quran in tea to age them, which was seen as deeply disrespectful and sparked widespread outrage.
The controversy quickly escalated to legal battles and halted production permanently. Despite the promise and scale, Abu–Baghdad Gaja Donga became a lost chapter in Chiranjeevi’s illustrious career, a reminder of the thin line between creativity and cultural sensitivity. Today, as he celebrates his 70th year, fans honor his remarkable journey and look forward to his upcoming films like Vishwambhara and Mega157, proof that his legacy continues strong, even as past dreams remain suspended in time.