In a grand revival of state-backed cinematic recognition, the Telangana government has announced the prestigious Gaddar Film Awards 2024, honoring excellence in Telugu cinema. This marks the first time in 14 years that such state-level film awards are being presented, now rebranded to commemorate revolutionary balladeer Gaddar, who passed away in 2023.
The announcement was made in Hyderabad by the awards jury chairperson and veteran actress Jayasudha, alongside Telangana State Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 14, 2025, in Hyderabad.
Major Winners:
- Best Actor: Allu Arjun for his powerful performance in Pushpa 2.
- Best Actress: Nivetha Thomas for her role in 35 Chinna Katha Kadhu.
- Best Director: Nag Ashwin for the visually stunning sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD.
- Best Feature Film: Kalki 2898 AD, hailed for its innovative storytelling and production scale.
Other Notable Awards:
- Second Best Feature Film: Pottel
- Third Best Feature Film: Lucky Bhaskar
- Best Supporting Actor: S. J. Suryah (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram)
- Best Supporting Actress: Sharanya Pradeep (Ambajipeta Marriage Band)
- Best Debut Director: Yadhavamsi (Committee Kurrollu)
- Best Popular Film: Aye Memu Friends Andi
- Best Heritage/History Film: Razakar
- Best Children’s Film: 35 Chinna Katha Kadhu
- Special Jury Awards:
- Dulquer Salmaan for Lucky Bhaskar
- Ananya Nagalla for Pottel
Musical Excellence:
- Best Male Playback Singer: Sid Sriram for “Nijame Ne Chebuthunna” (Ooru Peru Bhairavakona)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for Pushpa 2
- Best Lyricist: Chandrabose for Raju Yadav
- Best Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo (Razakar)
Technical Brilliance:
- Best Cinematography: Vishwanath Reddy (Gaami)
- Best Editor: Naveen Nooli (Lucky Bhaskar)
- Best Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya (Devara)
These awards not only honor artistic merit but also reflect the diversity and evolution of Telugu cinema in recent years. The Gaddar Film Awards are also set to retrospectively honor the best films from 2014 to 2023, filling a decade-long gap since the formation of Telangana.
With the inclusion of social, cultural, and historical themes, and a focus on both commercial and content-driven cinema, the Gaddar Awards are expected to become a hallmark of cinematic excellence in the Telugu states.
