Table of Contents
Table
Event Name
Nandi Awards
Organised by
Government of Andhra Pradesh
Started in
1964
Location
Andhra Pradesh
Type
Awards to acknowledge excellence in cinematic achievements for Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and Telugu television
Budget
NA
History
The aim of these awards was to promote the production of Telugu films with outstanding technical and aesthetic values that is culturally, educationally, and socially relevant and promote the integration and cohesion of the country. This award ceremony was held annually in Ugadi, which is the official Telugu New Year. Since 1998, the delegation of the presentation of the Nandi awards was handed over to the Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation by the Government for its smooth functioning.
The Nandi awards are given to the best films, producers, directors, artists, and technicians in the categories of Feature Films, National Integration Feature Films, Children's Films, Documentaries, Educational Films, and Books/Articles on Telugu Films.
Theme
Here is the theme and list of awards that are conferred in the annual ceremony of the Nandi awards:
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
This award is given to an eminent film personality for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema. This award has been given out since 1980 and was named after Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu.
NTR National Award
This is again an award given to a personality who has contributed immensely towards the growth and development of Indian Cinema. This award was launched in 1996 and is named after the former hon’ble chief minister and actor N. T. Rama Rao, which also comes with a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs and a memento.
BN Reddy National Award
This award is for the best director in Indian Cinema. Named after director B. N. Reddy, this award has been presented annually since 2009. This award comes with a special memento, a cash price of Rs. 2 lakhs, and a shawl
Nagireddy–Chakrapani National Award
This award is given to an Indian film Producer/Writer/Technician/Infrastructure provider for the consistent development of Indian Cinema. This award has been given out since 2009 and is named after the renowned filmmakers, Chakrapani and Nagi Reddi. It also comes with a special memento, a cash price of Rs. 2 Lakhs, and a shawl.
Categories
Gold
These awards are given out in the following categories:
Silver
These awards are given out in the following categories:
Copper
These awards are given out in the following categories:
Best Cinematographer
Best Music Director
Best Male/Female Playback Singer
Best Screenplay Writer
Best Lyricist
Best Story Writer
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Best Audiographer
Best First Film of a Director
Best Character Actor/Actress
Best Male/Female Comedian
Best Dialogue Writer
Best Choreographer
Special Jury Award
Other Categories
Best Male/Female Dubbing Artist
Best Book on Telugu Cinema
Best Villain
Best Child Actor/Actress
Best Editor
Best Art Director
Best Makeup Artist
Best Costume Designer
Best Fight Master
Best Film Critic on Telugu Cinema
Best Special Effects
Registrations
Each year, The Andhra Pradesh Government appoints a National Committee that selects the winners. The awards are presented by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at an awards ceremony.
The eligibility criteria contain several clauses. One of the primary conditions is that the film must be produced in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. If the film is in a co-production with an international or other regional franchise, then several other conditions are considered.
Another eligibility criterion is that the film chosen should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification to be considered by the jury. The Government has no role in deciding the winners. However, the authorities may keep a vigilant check on who is considered a winner by the jury.
Celebrities
Dasari Narayana Rao
He was an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, actor, and politician, mainly in Telugu and Hindi cinema. He holds the world record for directing more than 150 feature films and is given the tagline - Darsaka Ratna, which means Jewel among directors. He has received more than 10 Nandi awards, an NTR National Award, and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award.
Ram Gopal Varma
He is an Indian filmmaker, also known for his memorable work in Telugu cinema, besides Hindi. Ram Gopal Varma was also appreciated as one of the BBC World series Bollywood Bosses in 2004 and was popularly called Bombay's Most Successful Maverick. He is a proud recipient of 7 Nandi awards.
Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao
Popularly known as Nagarjuna , he is an icon in Telugu cinema. He has received 9 Nandi awards which were presented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Daggubati Venkatesh
Venkatesh debuted in the year 1986 and got his first Nandi Award for the film. In a span of 35 years, he won 7 Nandi awards and many others for his spectacular performances.
Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu
He works mainly in Telugu cinema and has appeared in more than 25 films. Mahesh Babu has received several accolades for his top performances, including eight Nandi awards.
Amitabh Bachchan
Mr. Bachchan was the star attraction of the Nandi awards – in 2011 when he received the NTR National Film award 2011 from AP Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Chiranjeevi
He has received the Nandi awards 4 times, besides being a proud recipient of several other International, national, and state-level awards. He was also the first actor from South Indian Cinema to be invited to the Oscars ceremony in 1987. Chiranjeevi has received three Nandi awards.
Schedule
NA
Conclusion
VIDEO
The Nandi awards were one of the most prestigious awards and, to date, are considered a big achievement by celebrities and artists.
However, due to a few controversies, based on negligence, partiality, and casteism, the viability of the awards has been questioned time and again. The Government was quite disappointed with the criticism, and Chief Minister Naidu said that such allegations were least expected. The last Nandi Awards ceremony was held in 2016, after which these awards were discontinued. There is news about re-instating the ceremony under another name, but an official announcement on the same is still awaited.