Sharing the relationship he had had even before Chiranjeevi married Allu Ramalingayya's daughter (Surekha), the Megastar said yesterday that he regards Oct 1 (Allu's jayanthi) as Laughter's birthday.

"I think nobody has acted or will be able to act in as many films as he did. He could portray any character with great ease," he said in praise of the late actor.

Chiru also added that he was put a test by Allu, who would be his father-in-law in course of time, during a train journey from Rajahmundry to Madras. "After the shoot of Mana Oori Pandavulu was over, we were travelling back to Madras. He offered me a glass of drink. I refused to consume it, saying I am a devotee of Anjaneya Swamy. He formed a good opinion about me then. Since I passed in that examination, I won Surekha. I always used to feel proud that I was his successor in the field of cinema."