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Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025: Celebrating Cinematic Excellence in Telugu and Urdu Cinema

 

 

Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025: Celebrating Cinematic Excellence in Telugu and Urdu Cinema

Introduction

The inaugural edition of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025, named after the legendary revolutionary poet and balladeer Gaddar, marked a significant milestone for Telugu and Urdu cinema. Hosted by the Telangana State Government, the awards ceremony celebrated cinematic brilliance after a 14-year hiatus since the last Nandi Awards in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The event, announced on May 29, 2025, and set to be presented on June 14, 2025, at HITEX in Hyderabad, recognized outstanding contributions across various categories for films released in 2024, alongside retrospective honors for the best films from 2014 to 2023. With 1,248 nominations scrutinized by a 15-member jury led by veteran actress Jayasudha, the awards highlighted both mainstream blockbusters and indie gems, promoting cultural, social, and technical excellence in cinema.

A Grand Revival of State-Backed Film Awards

The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards were revived under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who announced in January 2024 that the Nandi Awards would be rebranded in honor of Gaddar, a cultural icon who passed away in 2023. The awards aim to celebrate Telangana’s vibrant cultural identity, promote national integration, and recognize films with educational, social, and humanitarian values. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka emphasized the inclusion of Urdu films alongside Telugu cinema, reflecting the state’s diverse cultural heritage. The Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC), chaired by producer Dil Raju, ensured a transparent and rigorous selection process, with nominations opening on March 13, 2025, and screenings beginning April 21, 2025.

Winners of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025

The awards were presented across 11 dynamic categories, including feature films, technical excellence, and individual performances, with special awards named after cinematic legends like NTR, Paidi Jairaj, BN Reddy, Nagireddy-Chakrapani, Kantha Rao, and Raghupathi Venkaiah. Below is the full list of winners for 2024, as announced on May 29, 2025:

Feature Film Categories

  • Best Feature Film: Kalki 2898 AD (Directed by Nag Ashwin)
    The sci-fi epic, starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, dominated the awards, earning accolades for its ambitious storytelling, groundbreaking VFX, and cultural resonance.
  • Second Best Feature Film: Pottel
    This poignant rural drama was lauded for its authentic portrayal of Telangana’s cultural and social issues, earning critical acclaim.
  • Third Best Feature Film: Lucky Baskhar
    Directed by Venky Atluri and starring Dulquer Salmaan, this period drama was celebrated for its engaging narrative and strong performances.

Individual Performance Awards

  • Best Leading Actor: Allu Arjun for Pushpa 2: The Rule
    Allu Arjun’s intense and charismatic portrayal of Pushpa Raj in the blockbuster sequel earned him widespread praise.
  • Best Leading Actress: Nivetha Thomas for 35 Chinna Katha Kadu
    Nivetha Thomas delivered a heartfelt performance in this slice-of-life drama, earning her the top acting honor.
  • Best Supporting Actor: SJ Suryah for Saripodhaa Sanivaaram
    SJ Suryah’s dynamic performance as the antagonist in this action thriller was a standout.
  • Best Supporting Actress: Saranya Pradeep for Ambajipeta Marriage Band
    Saranya Pradeep’s compelling performance in this socially relevant drama earned her recognition.
  • Best Comedian(s): Satya and Vennela Kishore for Mathu Vadalara 2
    The comedic duo brought laughter and charm to this crime-comedy sequel.
  • Best Child Artist(s): Arundev Pothula and Baby Harika for 35 Chinna Katha Kadu and Mercy Killing
    These young talents were recognized for their natural and impactful performances.
  • Best Male Playback Singer: Sid Sriram for “Nizame Ne Chebutunna” from Ooru Peru Bhairavakona
    Sid Sriram’s soulful rendition added emotional depth to the fantasy thriller.

Technical and Directorial Awards

  • Best Director: Nag Ashwin for Kalki 2898 AD
    Nag Ashwin’s visionary direction in blending mythology with futuristic sci-fi was celebrated.
  • Best Screenplay: Venky Atluri for Lucky Baskhar
    Venky Atluri’s tightly woven screenplay was praised for its narrative clarity and emotional impact.
  • Best Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo for Razakar
    Bheems Ceciroleo’s evocative score added depth to this historical drama.
  • Best Editor: Navin Nooli for Lucky Baskhar
    Navin Nooli’s sharp editing enhanced the pacing and storytelling of Lucky Baskhar.
  • Best Art Director: Kalki 2898 AD (Art Director not specified)
    The film’s stunning production design was a key highlight.
  • Best Make-Up: Kalki 2898 AD (Make-Up Artist not specified)
    The film’s transformative make-up work was recognized for its technical excellence.

Special Jury Awards

  • Special Jury Award: Dulquer Salmaan for Lucky Baskhar
    Dulquer Salmaan’s captivating performance as the ambitious yet flawed Baskhar was honored.
  • Special Jury Award: Ananya Nagalla for Pottel
    Ananya Nagalla’s powerful portrayal in this rural drama earned her a special mention.
  • Special Jury Award: Sujith and Sandeep (Directors) for KA
    The directorial duo was recognized for their innovative storytelling.
  • Special Jury Award: Prashanth Reddy and Rajesh Kallepally for Raju Yadav
    Their contributions to this film were acknowledged for their creative impact.
  • Jury Special Mention: Faria Abdullah for Rap Song in Mathu Vadalara 2
    Faria Abdullah’s energetic performance in the rap song was a highlight.

Special Category Awards

  • Best Feature Film on National Integration, Communal Harmony, and Social Uplift: Committee Kurrollu
    This film was celebrated for its heartwarming narrative promoting unity.
  • Best Children’s Film: 35 Chinna Katha Kadu
    The film’s sensitive portrayal of childhood and family dynamics earned it this honor.
  • Best Feature Film on History, Heritage, and Environment: Razakar
    This historical drama was recognized for its bold depiction of Telangana’s history.
  • Best Debut Feature Film Director: Yedu Vamsee for Committee Kurrollu
    Yedu Vamsee’s fresh perspective was highlighted in this socially relevant film.
  • Best Wholesome Entertainment Film: Aay…Mem Friends Andi
    This lighthearted film was celebrated for its universal appeal.

Retrospective Awards (2014–2023)

The Gaddar Awards also honored one outstanding film per year from 2014 to 2023, addressing the absence of state-backed awards since Telangana’s formation. While specific winners for each year were not detailed in the sources, the initiative recognized the best films released between June 2014 and December 2023, ensuring a decade of cinematic excellence was celebrated.

Special Awards Named After Cinema Legends

In addition to the main categories, the awards introduced special honors named after iconic figures in Indian cinema, such as Paidi Jairaj and T Kantha Rao, to commemorate their contributions. These awards were presented to recognize lifetime achievements and significant contributions to Telugu cinema, though specific recipients for 2025 were not listed in the available information.

The Significance of the Gaddar Awards

The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025 not only revived state-level recognition for Telugu and Urdu cinema but also set a precedent for inclusivity and transparency. The jury, led by Jayasudha and supported by industry veterans like Dil Raju, ensured a fair evaluation process, handling an unprecedented 1,248 nominations, including 76 feature films and 1,172 individual entries. The awards also addressed concerns about regional representation, with some groups advocating for prioritizing Telangana-based films to counter perceived Andhra dominance in the industry.

The ceremony, scheduled for June 14, 2025, promises to be a grand celebration, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka emphasizing its role as a cultural festival. The inclusion of Urdu films and categories like Best Film on National Integration reflects the awards’ commitment to diversity and social relevance. Posts on X echoed the excitement, particularly for winners like Dulquer Salmaan and the Lucky Baskhar team, with fans praising the government’s efforts to honor Telangana’s cinematic legacy.

Looking Ahead

The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards are set to become an annual tradition, with plans to continue from the Ugadi festival in 2025. The awards aim to elevate Telugu cinema to national and international prominence, with Dil Raju outlining ambitions to develop Hyderabad into a global filmmaking hub. As the first state-backed film awards since Telangana’s formation, the Gaddar Awards have rekindled pride in the region’s cinematic heritage, promising to nurture talent and celebrate stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Sources

The Hindu, India Today, Sakshi Post, India TV News, OrissaPOST, Siasat, Times of India, NewKerala, Telugu360, Gulte, NTV Telugu, Posts on X.

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