MEK 4 host Chiranjeevi’s Birthday: Unknown facts about the Megastar’s TV debut that will inspire you

Chiranjeevi, the matinee idol of Telugu cinema, made his small screen debut as a TV host with Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu (MEK) season 4, the Telugu version of Amitabh Bachchan Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Besides the fate of the show, Chiranjeevi is admired for his off-screen persona and style of working that inspired many including the crew of the show. Here’s a quick look at some unknown facts about Chiranjeevi as a host.

MEK Season 4 was initially slated for telecast much before Chiranjeevi’s comeback film Khaidi No. 150. However, Chiru wished to make his comeback on the silver screen first. So the show’s launch was deferred to Dec, 2016.

The small screen especially hosting a TV show is a different ball game altogether for an exemplary actor like Chiranjeevi as well. He rehearsed for several sessions including the set rehearsals with dummy contestants for over a week before the final shoot.

Chiranjeevi is often admired for his punctuality and discipline. This didn’t change much in spite of his hiatus from work. Chiranjeevi ensured that he reached the sets at least half an hour before the call time that too with the make-up. Despite being a star, he was co-operative enough to work late hours at times.

Chiranjeevi apparently got nervous on the first day of the mock shoot and even had a troubled first session of the shoot. But he was observant and patient enough to take feedback from everyone on the show. He even turned a contestant for Siddhartha Basu, his mentor on the show. After taking a brief break, Chiranjeevi rejuvenated and left the makers impressed with his confidence in the second session.

Chiranjeevi used to quickly transform and give his best irrespective of his mood for the day. Once, he was apparently in a bad mood and when the team was worried about the shoot, he completely transformed into a different person when the camera started rolling and charmed everyone on the sets with his performance.

Chiranjeevi had a keen and impeccable eye for detail and an impressive memory of the placement of the lights and cameras that left even the crew awed. Once, he even notified the team of a malfunctioning light on the sets, which even the camera department wasn’t aware of.

In spite of being a legendary actor, Chiranjeevi used to thoroughly practise his lines for the show. He used to mug up even 2-3 pages of script despite having a Teleprompter room (TPR) for his aid. He recited his lines to his team before going for a take, sought feedback, corrected his mistakes and gave his best in the final shoot.

In one of the episodes, Bigg Boss Telugu 2 host Nani, who is an ardent fan of Chiranjeevi, shared a fanboy moment wherein he lost his cycle when he had been to a Chiranjeevi film. The Megastar, who was touched by this, later gifted Nani a new cycle as compensation. This was one of the most cherished moments for Nani and many such fans.

Much against the directives of the team, Chiranjeevi got emotional when a fan danced to one of his popular songs. He couldn’t resist himself and instantly joined the fan in dancing along with him. In yet another episode, Chiranjeevi got emotional when a 60-year-old contestant, who was missing his estranged son, hugged him.

Irrespective of the flawless actor he is, Chiranjeevi was uncomfortable with portions where he had to speak English, especially during the ‘phone-a-friend’ lifeline episode. However, he refused to give up. He used to go back, practise his lines and gave any number of re-takes until the shot was finalized.

On the last day of MEK 4 shoot, fans including the crew of the show and channel turned out in large numbers to catch a glimpse of Chiranjeevi and grab a picture with him. At a moment when the crowd was uncontrollable, Chiranjeevi quickly took control over the situation. He calmed his fans, stayed back for over an hour and ensured that he thanked everyone and fans got a picture with him.