Allu Arjun, Nag Ashwin, and Nivetha Thomas win big as Telangana’s Gaddar Film Awards debut with political and cultural fanfare

Why are the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards being seen as a new political and cultural platform for Telugu cinema?

Hyderabad hosted a cinematic celebration rooted deeply in regional pride and cultural history on June 14, as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented the first-ever Telangana Gaddar Film Awards at a high-profile event at Hitex. Named in honor of balladeer and revolutionary poet Gaddar, the new awards ceremony drew Tollywood’s top stars, emerging talents, and folk artistes in a display of state-backed cultural soft power.

The event marked the return of state-level film awards in Telangana after a 14-year pause. The awards are organized by the Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC), which operates under the state’s Department of Cinematography and Culture. The launch aligns closely with the government’s agenda to position Telangana as a cinema and tourism powerhouse, while institutionalizing a tribute to Gaddar’s populist legacy.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and TFDC chairman Dil Raju, handed out top honors in a glittering ceremony that included live performances and tributes to Telangana’s folk traditions.

Which celebrities and films won major recognition at the 2025 Telangana Gaddar Film Awards?

The night’s biggest winner was actor Allu Arjun, who was named Best Leading Actor for his role in Pushpa 2: The Rule. The award was presented by CM Revanth Reddy, reinforcing Arjun’s dominant place in pan-India cinema. The actor’s performance in the high-octane sequel has garnered significant pre-release buzz and is being closely followed by industry watchers for its box office potential.

Nivetha Thomas earned the Best Leading Actress honor for 35 Chinna Katha Kadu, while director Nag Ashwin was awarded Best Director for the visually ambitious dystopian sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. The film also received the Best Feature Film award, validating its high-concept storytelling and innovative production approach.

Pottel won Second Best Feature Film, praised for its rooted narrative and compelling characters, while Lucky Bhaskar secured the Third Best Film of the Year, signaling growing appreciation for new-wave Telugu storytelling.

In the historical fiction category, Razakar clinched the award for Best Feature Film, highlighting the state’s encouragement of genre cinema that engages with historical and socio-political themes.

How did the Telangana government use the film awards as a platform for cultural and institutional influence?

Beyond its cinematic celebration, the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards ceremony also became a strategic platform for policy announcements and state branding. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka unveiled a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Hyderabad into a world-class hub for film production.

Key initiatives include the introduction of a single-window clearance system for film shooting permissions, the appointment of dedicated liaison officers within the Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC) to expedite administrative approvals, and the provision of targeted incentives for filmmakers who choose to shoot in rural and scenic locations across the state.

These policy moves are part of Telangana’s broader cultural and economic strategy to attract both domestic and international filmmakers, while simultaneously boosting tourism, generating employment, and promoting regional storytelling.

TFDC chairman Dil Raju emphasized the institutional transparency behind the awards. He reiterated the state’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing infrastructural and financial support to creators across genres, including independent and regional filmmakers.

Why is the awards’ namesake Gaddar a pivotal figure in Telangana’s identity and statehood legacy?

The awards are named after Gaddar, born Gummadi Vittal Rao, a poet, singer, and activist whose revolutionary folk songs galvanized support for the Telangana statehood movement. Gaddar’s work gave voice to Dalit, tribal, and working-class struggles, embedding his legacy in the cultural consciousness of the region.

His performances were often banned during the Andhra-Telangana integration era, and his songs became rallying cries for political and social mobilization. By anchoring a prestigious awards ceremony in his name, the Telangana government is asserting the legitimacy of regional culture within the national cinematic discourse.

During the ceremony, a short biographical film on Gaddar was screened, followed by folk performances inspired by his poetry, invoking emotional responses from attendees. These artistic interludes grounded the evening in the grassroots ethos that defined Gaddar’s life and reinforced the awards’ intent to blend cinematic glamour with social consciousness.

What was the reaction from the Telugu film industry and public to the revival of state-sponsored film honors?

The awards marked the revival of official state recognition for Telugu cinema for the first time since united Andhra Pradesh’s last honors in 2010. The long hiatus had drawn criticism from many quarters of the film industry, who argued that institutional neglect was undermining cultural output and morale.

The response to the Gaddar Awards’ debut has been largely positive. Industry veterans like Jayasudha, who chaired the jury, emphasized the transparency and independence of the selection process, noting that the awards were “announced without pressure or interference.”

Public sentiment on social media was equally supportive, with trending hashtags like #GaddarAwards, #TelanganaCinema, and #AlluArjunPushpa2 dominating Twitter (X) and regional Facebook communities. Many commenters praised the inclusion of folk artists and Gaddar’s family at the event, citing the awards as an example of inclusive state cultural policy.

How are the Gaddar Film Awards positioning Telangana in the national cultural and creative economy?

By investing in film and culture, Telangana is signaling its intent to be a national cultural capital, rivalling Chennai and Mumbai. The state already houses Ramoji Film City, the world’s largest integrated studio complex, and Hyderabad continues to be a pan-India filming location for both Hindi and South Indian films.

With the Gaddar Awards, Telangana is crafting a distinct regional identity—one that fuses the rebellious spirit of its political past with the modern sheen of a growing creative economy. The awards are also likely to influence national awards ecosystems, especially in how they approach regional cinema and folk representation.

For younger filmmakers and performers, the event offered a government-sanctioned space for visibility, funding, and future collaborations. The emphasis on innovation, history-based narratives, and female-led films marks a shift from older, commercial award formulas.

What comes next for the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards and the state’s cinematic vision?

The Telangana Gaddar Film Awards are expected to become an annual fixture, supported by institutional backing and growing media attention. TFDC has already signaled that future editions will include categories for documentary filmmaking, short films, and international collaborations—expanding the ecosystem around Telugu-language visual storytelling.

CM Revanth Reddy, in his closing address, reaffirmed the government’s intention to “support storytellers who reflect the truth and beauty of Telangana society”, further integrating cinema into the broader political and developmental agenda of the state.

With increasing digital reach, state-private media partnerships, and celebrity endorsements, the awards are poised to become a significant node in India’s evolving cinematic diplomacy. They offer a model for other states to blend heritage, innovation, and public celebration through culture-first governance.