Winning the National Award for Best Telugu Feature Film is considered one of the highest honors in Telugu cinema. Unlike commercial award shows, the National Awards recognize films based on their artistic and technical excellence, often rewarding content-driven cinema alongside mainstream entertainers.
Over the past 25 years, Telugu cinema has produced several memorable National Award winners. However, the award’s history also includes one of its most controversial phases, when the jury decided that no Telugu film deserved the honor for three consecutive years.
Here’s the complete list of Best Telugu Feature Film winners from 2000 to 2024:
2000 – Nuvve Kavali
2001 – Show
2002 – No Award
2003 – Aithe
2004 – Swarabhishekam
2005 – Bommalata
2006 – Kamli
2007 – No Award
2008 – 1940 Lo Oka Gramam
2009 – No Award
2010 – No Award
2011 – No Award
2012 – Eega
2013 – Naa Bangaaru Talli
2014 – Chandamama Kathalu
2015 – Kanche
2016 – Pelli Choopulu
2017 – Ghazi
2018 – Mahanati
2019 – Jersey
2020 – Color Photo
2021 – Uppena
2022 – Kartikeya 2
2023 – Bhagavanth Kesari
2024 – Committee Kurrollu
The Three-Year Drought That Still Raises Questions
One of the most surprising chapters in the history of Telugu cinema at the National Awards came between 2009 and 2011.
For three consecutive years, the jury decided not to present the Best Telugu Feature Film award, stating that none of the entries met the standards required for the honor.
Looking back today, many Telugu cinema fans still find that decision difficult to understand.
In 2009, films like Magadheera and Arundhati were released, while 2010 delivered Maryada Ramanna, Leader, Ye Maaya Chesave, Prasthanam, Vedam, Khaleja, Brindavanam, and Rakta Charitra. The year 2011 was no less impressive, with films like Ala Modalaindi, Golconda High School, Dookudu, Pilla Zamindar, and Sri Rama Rajyam.
Many of these films are now regarded as modern classics, making the three-year drought one of the most debated decisions in the history of the National Film Awards.
Fortunately, the award returned in 2012 with S. S. Rajamouli’s Eega, beginning a remarkable run that has seen Telugu cinema consistently earn national recognition. In recent years, films like Mahanati, Jersey, Color Photo, Uppena, Kartikeya 2, Bhagavanth Kesari, and now Committee Kurrollu have continued that legacy.
The list of winners over the last 25 years reflects the incredible evolution of Telugu cinema, from experimental storytelling and realistic dramas to technically ambitious blockbusters and commercially successful entertainers.
Yet, if one chapter still stands out, it is the controversial three-year gap between 2009 and 2011. Given the quality of films released during that period, the jury’s decision continues to spark debate even today.
At the same time, Telugu cinema’s consistent success in recent years shows how far the industry has evolved and why it continues to earn national recognition year after year.
