Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, noted actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Allu Arjun during the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards ceremony at Hitex in Hyderabad on Saturday
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The winners of the inaugural edition of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards were presented with the trophies at a star-studded ceremony at Hitex in Hyderabad on Saturday (June 14). Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy felicitated the event, which was also attended by the state’s deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju.

Gaddar Foundation chairman and Gaddar’s son Suryakiran and TGFDC MD S Harish were also present at the event. The chief guests presented the winners with a cash prize of ₹5 lakhs and a citation.

The evening saw Reddy and Vikramarka present the Paidi Jairaj Film Award (Indian Film Personality) to veteran director Mani Ratnam. Meanwhile, superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna received the NTR National Film Award, while director Sukumar received the BN Reddy Film Award. The Kantha Rao Film Award was presented to actor Vijay Devarakonda, and film writer Yandamuri Veerendranath was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Film Award.

Veteran actor and jury chairman M Muralimohan and members of the jury, including jury head, veteran actor Jayasudha, were felicitated as well. The designer of the TGFA, Ramavath Nagula Naik, and film critic Ponnam Ravichandra were also honoured.

As a major highlight of the evening, Pushpa star Allu Arjun received the Best Leading Actor award from Chief Minister Reddy, to thunderous applause from the audience.

Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, won the Best Feature Film award. The second and third best feature film awards were bagged by Pottel, directed by Sahit Mothkuri, and Lucky Baskhar, directed by Venky Atluri. Ashwin also took home the Best Director award for Kalki 2898 AD, while Nivetha Thomas was awarded Best Leading Actress for her role in 35 Chinna Katha Kadu.

Notably, the Telangana government revived the Telugu film awards this year in honour of revolutionary balladeer Gaddar. The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards marked the first time a ceremony was held in the state to felicitate the film industry since its formation in 2014.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Director: Nag Ashwin for Kalki 2898 AD

Best Leading Actor: Allu Arjun for Pushpa 2: The Rule

Best Leading Actress: Nivetha Thomas for 35 Chinna Katha Kadhu

First Best Feature Film: Kalki 2898 AD

Second Best Feature Film: Pottel

Third Best Feature Film: Lucky Baskhar

Best Supporting Actor: SJ Suryah for Saripodhaa Sanivaaram

Best Supporting Actress: Saranya Pradeep for Ambajipeta Marriage Band

Best Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo for Razakar

Best Male Playback Singer: Sid Sriram for Ooru Peru Bhairavakona

Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for Pushpa 2: The Rule

Feature Film on National Integration, Communal Harmony & Social Uplift: Committee Kurrollu

Best Children’s Film:35 Chinna Katha Kaadu

Feature Film on Environment, Heritage, History: Razakar

Best Debut Film Director: Yadu Vamsi for Committee Kurrollu

Best Wholesome Entertainment Film: Aay

Best Comedian: Satya and Vennela Kishore for Mathu Vadalara 2

Best Child Artist: Arun Dev for 35 Chinna Katha Kadu and Haarika for Mercy Killing

Best Story Writer: Siva Paladugu for Music Shop Murthy

Best Screenplay Writer: Venky Atluri for Lucky Baskhar

Best Lyricist: Chandra Bose for Raju Yadav

Best Cinematographer: Vishwanath Reddy for Gaami

Best Editor: Navin Nooli for Lucky Baskhar

Best Audiographer: Aravind Menon for Gaami

Best Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya for Devara

Best Art Director: Nitin Zihani Choudhary for Kalki 2898 AD

Best Action Choreographer: Chandra Shekar Rathod for Gangster

Best Makeup Artist: Nalla Seenu for Razakar

Best Costume Designer: Archana Rao and Ajay Kumar for Kalki 2898 AD

Special Jury Award 1: Dulquer Salmaan for Lucky Baskhar

Special Jury Award 2: Ananya Nagalla for Pottel

Special Jury Award 3: Sujith and Sandeep for KA

Special Jury Award 4: Prashanth Reddy and Rajesh Kallepalli for Raju Yadav

Jury Special Mention: Faria Abdullah for Mathu Vadalara 2