Chiranjeevi Sarja – Kannada film actor best associated with South Indian Remakes

Chiranjeevi Sarja, monomously known as Chiru (1980 – 2020) was a noted Telugu film actor and a member of Sarja filmy family. He was the nephew of famous south Indian film actor Arjun Sarja, and grandson of Kannada villain of yesterdays, Shakti Prasad. His younger brother Dhruva Sarja of Addhuri fame, his wife Meghana Raj, his aunt Niveditha Arjun and cousin Aishwarya Arjun (daughter of Arjun Sarja) are all film actors. Vayuputra (2009), remake of Tamil movie Sandakozhi marked his screen debut, and since then he mostly played lead roles in Kannada remakes of hit south Indian films of other languages.

He made appearance in more than 20 Kannada films, which include a few cameo roles as well, and was fully associated with cine world till he died on June 7^th, 2020 following a heart attack. He had four releases in 2020 before Corona epidemic hit the nation – Aadyaa, Khaki, Sinnga and final release, Shivarjuna (a few weeks before lockdown), and a few movies were lined for release or in pre-production stage. Those movies include – Rajamarthand, April, Ranam and Kshatreya. He was at his career peak when death took him away, shocking film fraternity. He was just 39!

Worked as an assistant director under his uncle Arjun Sarja for about 4 years before being launched as a hero

Chiranjeevi Sarja hailed from a filmy family, belonging to many successful actors. Vijay Kumar and Ammanni are his parents. Actor Shakti Prasad was his maternal grandfather. He graduated from Vijaya College, Bangalore and then enrolled at Namith Kapoor School of acting in Mumbai, to pursue his acting dreams. Later he joined as an assistant director under his uncle Arjun Sarja, and worked for nearly 4 years. He was launched by his uncle through Vayuputra in 2009, remake of Tamil movie Sandakozhi . His debut movie was directed by his uncle Kishore Sarja, who passed away the same year. The film was in recording stage when he passed away at a comparatively young age. Kishore Sarja has directed a few Kannada movies, though was not successful.

The movie didn’t fare well at box office and received mixed response from critics. However for his debut role as Balu, he received Innovative Film Award for Best Debut (Male). It was followed by a series of flops like Chiru and Gandedhe. Later many of his films performed well at box office. Right from debut he mostly reprised roles played by other south Indian actors of other languages.

He mostly appeared in remakes of south Indian action/thriller flicks

Ajith – remake of Payya and Chandralekha – remake of Prema Katha Chitram are among his popular roles. His films include Rudra Thandava (remake of Tamil film – Pandiya Naadu), Varadhanayaka (remake of Telugu film – Lakshyam), Whistle (remake of Tamil film – Pizza), Chandralekha (remake of Telugu film –Prema Katha Chitram), Samhaara (remake of Tamil film – Athe Kangal), Amma I Love You (remake of Tamil film – Pichaikaran) etc. Among the remakes, Whistle, Amma I Love You, Chandralekha etc were commercial hits.

Actors – Chiranjeevi Sarja and Meghana Raj on the occasion of their marriage in 2018

His other major works are Chirru, Sinnga, Aatagara, Bharjari, Seizer etc. He had a bunch of releases in 2020 and was a very busy actor when he passed away in June. Shooting of many of his movies were halted at that time. He got engaged to his childhood friend, actress and co-star Meghana Raj in 2017 and they got married in April 2018. He passed away following a heart attack, just two months after the couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Chiranjeevi Sarja – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He was popularly known as Chiru in film industry.

2. He made a cameo appearance as himself in Jai Hanumantha song of Prema Baraha. He played cameo roles in Kempegowda and Bharjari.

3. Right from his beginning in Kannada cinema in the role of an assistant director, he was fully promoted by his uncle Arju, whom Chiranjeevi recognizes at his godfather.

4. He has been compared with his uncle for looks as well as acting performances, and which the actor felt as complementary.

5. He was not at all worried about working in remakes, and believed in both pros and cons. In his opinion, he had to perform better from the original, as audience has already seen a version, though in another language. In fact most of the filmmakers believed that he can pull off those characters and hence casted him most in remakes.

6. He is a member of Sarja family which constructed Ahobala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Jakkenahalli, and the family members attend annual Brahma Ratholsava ceremony of the temple without fail.

7. Reading and travelling were his favourite hobbies.

8. His in-laws Sundar Raj and Pramila Joshai are popular Kannada film actors. Pramila is best known for playing Vaidehi in Tamil cult classic, Vaidehi Kaathirunthal.

9. He had a 10-year relationship with Meghana Raj before they got engaged in 2017.

10. His uncle Arjun Sarja is married to actress Nivedhitha Arjun, daughter of noted Kannada actor Rajesh.