In the era of united Andhra Pradesh, the Nandi Awards were a pinnacle of prestige in the film industry. The government celebrated them annually, and the winners cherished these accolades.
However, post the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana State sidelined these awards. Despite a few years of awards in Andhra Pradesh, their importance diminished, and eventually, they ceased altogether, despite pleas from the film industry to both Telugu states’ leaders.
Two months after the Congress government took charge in Telangana, efforts have been initiated to resurrect these film awards. Surprisingly, the Telangana government chose to rename the Nandi Awards as the Gaddar Awards in honor of the revolutionary leader and singer Gaddar.
Talks were going on that no one from the Telugu film industry had commented on this renaming of the Nandi Awards. There were also speculations that some industry folks weren’t too happy with the name change. Responding to these discussions, Chiranjeevi has now shared his perspective.
The Telangana State Government honored recipients of the Padma Awards at Shilpa Kala Vedika in Hyderabad on Sunday. During the event, Padma Vibhushan Chiranjeevi praised the decision, expressing that naming the awards after the popular singer Gaddar was fitting and commendable.
Chiranjeevi remarked on the pleasure of giving awards in the name of the public singer Gaddar for the Nandi Awards. He extended wholehearted thanks to CM Revanth Reddy and his cabinet for this strategic move. Chiranjeevi commended his dynamic leadership and expressed joy that arts and artists would be encouraged by this thoughtful initiative.
Chiranjeevi conveyed his happiness, appreciating the government’s swift response in honoring Padma awardees. He noted that this was probably the first time a government had reacted promptly to honor those selected for the Padma awards.
