Indian actor and megastar Dr Chiranjeevi Konidela received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award presented by non-profit think tank Bridge India and its member Aman Dhillon of ReelN Ltd in a highly oversubscribed special event at the House of Commons on 19 March. The Award was presented as a recognition of a lifetime of cultural influence and public service, including initiatives from the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, which has donated over 1.1 million units of blood, carried out over 15,000 corneal transplants, set up 42 essential oxygen banks during the Covid-19 pandemic, led an important AIDS awareness campaign. Such initiatives have transformed lives in India.
The event was hosted by Navendu Mishra MP and saw attendance and warm congratulations from Members of both Houses of Parliament from across the country, including Sojan Joseph MP, Uma Kumaran MP, David Pinto-Duschinsky MP, Gurinder Singh Josan MP, Baggy Shanker MP, Danny Beales MP, Lord Kuldip Sahota, as well as Padma Shri Awardee Bob Blackman MP and former Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma.
During his visit to Parliament, Dr Chiranjeevi also met with Sir Stephen Timms (Minister of State for Social Security and Disability) and Seema Malhotra MP (Under Secretary of State for Equalities and Migration and Citizenship). A consistent theme in the addresses from speakers at the event, included an admiration for the longevity of his career and the ability to transcend boundaries from film making to be involved with politics at the highest level, as well as philanthropy and public service.
Dr Chiranjeevi said: “My heart is filled with gratitude for the honour at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament by so many esteemed Members of Parliament, Ministers and Under Secretaries, diplomats. I am humbled by their kind words and heartened by the Lifetime Achievement Award by Team Bridge India.” British Deputy High Commissioner for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Gareth Wynn-Thomas said to Dr Chiranjeevi the award was “a much- deserved acknowledgement of your hard work and dedication.”
The Award was presented by Founder of Bridge India Pratik Dattani and curator of the annual Film Conclave, Aman Dhillon. The Film Conclave takes place as part of India Week 2025. It is Britain’s first UK-India film co-production market, bringing together filmmakers, studios, investors and industry leaders to foster cross-border collaborations and explore new opportunities in global cinema. Tickets and information here: https://economicpolicygroup.com/film-conclave-2025/.
Founder of ReelN Ltd and Bridge India member, Aman Dhillon said: “I thank Bridge India for the incredible honour to join them in bestowing their first Lifetime Achievement Award and that to the Mega Star and philanthropist Dr Chiranjeevi, someone I personally hold in the highest esteem. As a UK Indian, I am very proud to have joined in the Parliamentary celebrations to mark his achievements both on and off screen, that have spanned over four decades.”
Attendees included leading members of the Indian diaspora from across sectors, including IT, healthcare, technology and the creative industries. Key names included film journalist Anuj Radia, the founder of popular entertainment portal, Filme Shilmy. There were several hundred fans of Dr Chiranjeevi that had the opportunity to meet him outside Parliament.
For more coverage on the event please see https://bridgeindia.org.uk/megastar-chiranjeevi-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-in-parliament-from-bridge-india/
