Tollywood star Varun Tej Konidela recently opened up about his close-knit family and the influential role his uncle, megastar Chiranjeevi, played in their upbringing. In a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan, Varun fondly recalled how Chiranjeevi, whom he dubbed the ‘headmaster’ of the Allu-Koneridela family, was always there to guide, discipline, and keep everyone grounded.
Reflecting on his childhood memories with cousins Allu Arjun and Ram Charan, Varun humorously shared, “Mr. Chiranjeevi never let us turn into brats. He’s like the headmaster. We listen to whatever he says.” He revealed that Chiranjeevi’s approach to discipline extended to his cousins as well, noting, “While Allu and Charan anna got their fair share of whippings, I, being the youngest, often managed to escape the worst of it. He probably disciplined each of us in different places and times.”
Varun also opened up about the family’s cherished Sunday meet-ups, a tradition initiated by Chiranjeevi to ensure the family stayed connected. These gatherings were a staple in their childhood, even if busy schedules now mean that months can go by without seeing each other. However, they still make it a point to come together for a special annual Sankranthi celebration organized by Chiranjeevi, spending 3-4 days celebrating the festival as a family.
Reflecting on his bond with Ram Charan, Varun shared, “I am a bit closer to Charan anna since we grew up in the same house. He’s my go-to person for any 3 a.m. problems.”
This Diwali, Varun celebrated with his cousins Sai Dharam Tej and Panja Vaishnav Tej. He’s currently preparing for his upcoming release, Matka, directed by Karuna Kumar, which hits theaters on November 14.