The Telangana government has officially declared the recipients of the 2025 Gaddar Telangana Film Awards, marking a significant event for Telugu cinema. The awards, established to recognize achievements across various filmmaking categories, span both main accolades and technical distinctions.
Key awardees include Naga Chaitanya for Best Actor for his role in Thandel, and Rashmika Mandanna securing Best Actress for The Girlfriend. The coveted Best Film title went to Raju Weds Rambai.
Further significant honors were bestowed upon cinema veterans. The NTR National Award was presented to Megastar Chiranjeevi, while Kamal Haasan received the Paidi Jairaj Award.
A Glimpse at the Awardees
The full roster of winners reveals a spectrum of recognition for creativity and technical proficiency within the Telugu film industry.
Main Category Honors:
Best Film: Raju Weds Rambai
Second Best Film: Dandora
Third Best Film: The Great Pre-Wedding Show
Best Director: Sailu for Raju Weds Rambai
Individual Acting Awards:
Best Actor: Naga Chaitanya (Thandel)
Best Actress: Rashmika Mandanna (The Girlfriend)
Best Supporting Actor: Shivaji (Dhandoraa)
Best Supporting Actress: Bhumika (Euphoria)
Best Comedian: Krishna Teja (Jigris)
Best Child Actor: Rohan Roy (The Great Pre-Wedding Show)
Technical and Thematic Distinctions:
National Integration Film: Thandel
Environmental Film: Igua
Debut Feature Film: Little Hearts
Entertainment Film: Sankranthiki Vasthunnam
Social Message Film: Court
Special Effects Film: Mirai
Children’s Film: Anaganagana
Creative Craft Awards:
Music Director: Mark K Robin (Dandora)
Male Playback Singer: Anurag Kulkarni (Raju Weds Rambai)
Female Playback Singer: Sahithi Chaganti (Kannappa)
Story Writer: Gunasekhar (Euphoria)
Screenplay Writer: Anil Ravipudi
Lyricist: Nandakishore (Kubera)
Cinematographer: Karthik Ghattamaneni (Mirai)
Editor: Sreekar Prasad (Mirai)
Audiographer: M.R. Radhakrishnan (Kishkindhapuri)
Choreographer: Gira Gira Gira (Champion)
Art Director: Thota Tharani (Champion)
Makeup Artist: Govind (Akhanda)
Costume Designer: Chandrakant (Champion)
Special Jury Recognitions:
Special Jury Film: 23
Best Actor (Jury): Chaitu Jonnalagadda (Raju Weds Rambai)
Best Actress (Jury): Ananthika (8 Vasanthalu)
Special Jury Hero: Roshan (Champion)
Legendary Honors:
ANR Award: Jayasudha
Kantha Rao Award: R. Narayana Murthy
Nagireddy–Chakrapani Award: Ashwini Dutt
Paidi Jairaj Award: Kamal Haasan
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award: Ramesh Prasad
C. Narayana Reddy (CINARE) Award: Suddala Ashok Teja
BN Reddy Award: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Background and Context
The Telangana Gaddar Awards, a relatively new initiative, have been introduced with the stated aim of fostering and recognizing excellence within the Telugu film industry. The awards are named in honor of the late revolutionary poet and singer Gaddar, signifying a connection to cultural heritage and artistic expression. These awards effectively take the place of the earlier Nandi Awards, which were previously presented during the unified Andhra Pradesh era. The formal announcement of winners precedes a grand ceremony slated to take place on Ugadi, March 19, 2026. This event is anticipated to draw prominent figures from the film fraternity and government dignitaries. The Telangana government has articulated that these awards intend to spotlight talent, creativity, and narratives with social significance in Telugu cinema, positioning the state as a supporter of the arts on a broader national stage.
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