The cinematic masterpieces of S.S. Rajamouli, ‘Bahubali: The Conclusion’ and ‘RRR’, have been prominently selected for the inaugural Gaddar Film Awards by the Telangana government. This significant announcement marks a revival of state-backed film awards after a hiatus of 14 years, aimed at recognizing and promoting cinematic excellence within the Telugu film industry.
The Gaddar Film Awards, newly instituted in honor of the revolutionary poet and balladeer Gaddar, seek to celebrate a decade of Telugu cinema. A jury, headed by veteran actor and producer Murali Mohan, and including esteemed personalities like actress Jayasudha and Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC) Chairman Dil Raju, unveiled the comprehensive list of awardees. The selections span films released between June 2014, coinciding with the formation of Telangana state, and December 2023, along with a separate category for 2024 releases.
For the year 2017, Rajamouli’s epic fantasy ‘Bahubali: The Conclusion’ was named the First Best Film, solidifying its place as a landmark achievement in Indian cinema. Similarly, the global sensation ‘RRR’ secured the First Best Film award for the year 2021, further cementing Rajamouli’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
The awards aim to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the prestigious Nandi Awards, which ceased after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has been lauded for his initiative in reviving these awards, underscoring the government’s commitment to nurturing artistic talent and celebrating Telangana’s rich cultural identity.
Beyond Rajamouli’s celebrated works, the awards recognized a wide array of cinematic achievements across various years and categories. Notable winners include ‘Run Raja Run’ (2014), ‘Rudrama Devi’ (2015), ‘Sathamanam Bhavathi’ (2016), ‘Mahanati’ (2018), ‘Maharshi’ (2019), ‘Ala Vaikuntapuramulo’ (2020), ‘Sitaramam’ (2022), and ‘Balagam’ (2023) as First Best Films for their respective years.
In addition to the annual film awards, several special honors were announced. Acclaimed director Mani Ratnam is set to receive the Paidi Jairaj Film Award (Indian Film Personality), while seasoned actor N. Balakrishna will be honored with the NTR National Film Award (Artist). Director Sukumar of ‘Pushpa’ fame was chosen for the B.N. Reddy Film Award (Telugu Film Director). Other prominent personalities like producer Atluri Purnachandra Rao, young hero Vijay Devarakonda, and renowned writer Yandamoori Veerendranath were also recognized for their significant contributions to Telugu cinema.
The grand awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 14 at Hitex in Hyderabad, promising a spectacular celebration of the past decade’s cinematic brilliance. This initiative by the Telangana government is seen as a vital step towards motivating filmmakers, artists, and technicians, providing much-needed governmental recognition for their craft and bolstering the vibrant Telugu film industry.