Sirish Bharadwaj, who eloped with megastar Chiranjeevi’s daughter Sreeja Konidela in 2007, passed away on June 19, 2024, at age 39 due to lung complications. His controversial marriage, divorce, and untimely death reveal a complex story of love, family conflict, and tragedy.
Sirish Bharadwaj: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Marriage to Sreeja | October 17, 2007 |
| Age at Marriage | 22 years old |
| Divorce | 2014 |
| Daughter | Nivrithi (born 2009) |
| Death | June 19, 2024 (lung damage, cardiac arrest) |
| Post-Divorce Career | Lawyer, BJP member |
The Controversial Elopement
Sirish Bharadwaj met Sreeja Konidela in college. Despite family opposition, the 22-year-old Sirish and 19-year-old Sreeja eloped and married at Arya Samaj Temple on October 17, 2007, with media and police present.
Chiranjeevi filed a kidnapping complaint. According to Telugu cinema observers, Sreeja publicly stated she faced “threats” from her family. The couple went viral nationwide, with many supporting their love marriage.
The Marriage Breakdown
The relationship deteriorated quickly. In 2009, they welcomed daughter Nivrithi. By 2011, Sreeja filed dowry harassment complaints against Sirish and his mother, initiating a legal battle that ended in their 2014 divorce. Sreeja returned to her father’s home with full custody of Nivrithi.
For more South Indian cinema stories, explore our Telugu cinema families guide and South Indian celebrity news.
Life After Divorce
Post-divorce, Sirish Bharadwaj became a lawyer, remarried, and joined the BJP. He reportedly maintained amicable relations with Chiranjeevi’s family.
Sreeja married actor Kalyaan Dhev in 2016, welcoming daughter Navishka in 2018. Separation rumors emerged in 2022. In June 2023, Kalyaan confirmed their separation.
The Tragic End
On June 19, 2024, Sirish Bharadwaj died at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, while undergoing lung treatment. His mother clarified he traveled to Dubai for his May 31 birthday before his health deteriorated. Official cause: cardiac arrest from lung complications. Actress Sri Reddy confirmed the news on social media. He was just 39 years old.
Complex Legacy
Sirish’s story reflects the collision between traditional family expectations and individual choice in Indian society. His elopement represented defiance against South cinema’s most powerful family, while dowry allegations revealed darker realities. His death leaves behind daughter Nivrithi, who lives with Sreeja and Chiranjeevi, unable to maintain paternal family relationships.
FAQs
Q: Why did Sirish Bharadwaj and Sreeja Konidela elope?
Sirish Bharadwaj and Sreeja eloped in 2007 because their families opposed their relationship. At ages 22 and 19, they married at an Arya Samaj temple with police protection after Chiranjeevi filed a kidnapping complaint.
Q: What happened to Sirish Bharadwaj after his divorce?
After divorcing in 2014, Sirish became a lawyer, remarried, and joined the BJP. He maintained amicable relations with Chiranjeevi’s family until his death on June 19, 2024, from lung complications and cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad.
