On Thursday, the first edition of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards took place, celebrating excellence in the state’s cinema industry. The event recognized a wide array of performances, technical achievements and creative contributions across several categories. Among the evening’s biggest winners were Kalki 2898 AD, which not only took home the Best Feature Film award but also bagged several technical awards. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film was a major highlight of the night, earning praise for its cinematic brilliance. Nag Ashwin himself was honoured with the Best Director award, further cementing his position as one of the leading filmmakers in the industry.
In the acting categories, Nivetha Thomas won the Best Leading Actress award for her performance in 35 Chinna Katha Kadu, while Allu Arjun was named Best Leading Actor for his role in Pushpa 2. Allu Arjun’s portrayal of his character in Pushpa 2 has continued to capture the hearts of audiences across India, making him one of the most celebrated actors in the current landscape of Indian cinema.
The Best Supporting Actor award went to SJ Suryah for his role in Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, while Saranya Pradeep bagged the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in Ambajipeta Marriage Band. The Best Comedian award was shared by Satya and Vennela Kishore for their hilarious performances in Mathu Vadalara 2. The Best Child Artist award was presented to Arundev Pothula and Baby Harika for their roles in 35 Chinna Katha Kadu.
Apart from these key awards, Kalki 2898 AD also made a significant impact in the technical categories. The film won the Best Art Director and Best Makeup awards, showcasing its attention to detail and high production value. The recognition of Kalki 2898 AD in these categories speaks to its overall craftsmanship and visionary direction by Nag Ashwin. The film also took home the Best Costume Design award for Archana Rao and Ajay Kumar’s stunning work, as well as the Best Lyricist award, which went to Chandra Bose for his work in Raju Yadav.
Several other films received accolades for their outstanding contributions to Telangana cinema. Committee Kurrollu was named the Best Debut Feature Film and also received recognition for its impactful storytelling. Razakar, a film that explores themes of heritage and history, was awarded the Best Feature Film on Environment/Heritage/History and its music composer, Bheems Ceciroleo, won the Best Music Director award.
The Best Cinematographer award went to Vishwanath Reddy for his work in Gaami, while the Best Editor award was presented to Navin Nooli for his work on Lucky Baskhar. Aravind Menon was honored with the Best Audiographer award for Gaami, further highlighting the technical excellence of this film.
In the music categories, Sid Sriram won Best Male Playback Singer for his rendition of Ooru Peru Bhairavakona’s Nijame Ne Chebuthunna in Ooru Peru Bhairavakona and Shreya Ghoshal was awarded Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in Pushpa 2 – The Rule’s Sooseki Song.
The evening also featured Special Jury Awards, with Dulquer Salmaan receiving recognition for his performance in Lucky Baskhar and Ananya Nagalla being honored for her work in Pottel. Additionally, Faria Abdullah received a Jury Special Mention for her rap song in Mathu Vadalara 2 and the directing duo Sujith and Sandeep were awarded a Special Jury Award for their work on KA.
The event marked a milestone for the Telangana film industry, recognising both established stars and emerging talents for their outstanding contributions to cinema. With a diverse range of awards, the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025 showcased the breadth of talent in the region, from performances to technical artistry. The ceremony was a testament to the growing influence of Telangana’s cinema and its ability to compete on a national stage.
