The inaugural Telangana Gaddar Film Awards were held with great fanfare at Hitex, Hyderabad, marking a significant cultural milestone as the first state film awards presented since Telangana’s formation. Organised after a 14-year gap, the event celebrated ten years of the state’s existence and honoured outstanding films and technicians from 2014 to 2023. Though several industry stalwarts were in attendance and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stayed far beyond the scheduled time to personally present awards, a notable absence of some of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars cast a quiet shadow over the evening.
In a press meet following the event, held on Sunday, producer and Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju addressed the gathering with both gratitude and pointed reflection. He praised the government’s commitment to honouring cinema and thanked the CM, Deputy CM Batti Vikramarka, and Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy for their support. He revealed that the Chief Minister was originally scheduled to attend for just an hour, but on Raju’s personal request, extended his visit to over two hours, personally handing out the awards.
Raju makes it clear that such gestures from the government must be reciprocated by the film industry with equal sincerity. “When you get an award from the government, I am telling this to all the film industry members, come and carefully accept the award,” he says, “No matter how busy we get with shootings, we have to accept awards from the government. It is our collective responsibility to journey with the government. I am telling this to everybody. If tomorrow, you are getting an award from the government, note that date in your diary, come and get it. This is my request, hope you understand.”
While his comments remain general, the subtext is unmistakable. Netizens and industry members interpreted his message as a quiet admonishment aimed at top-tier stars such as Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, Ram Charan, NTR, and Mahesh Babu, all of whom were absent despite their films being recognised. Though Raju refrains from naming names, his tone suggests disappointment. His appeal urges the industry’s most visible figures to lend legitimacy and honour to state-sponsored recognition by simply showing up.
Dil Raju also notes the upcoming film awards to be hosted by the Andhra Pradesh government and repeats his request to actors, technicians, and filmmakers alike: make time, show respect. “This is not just about an award, it’s about acknowledging the support system behind our work,” he says.
The Gaddar Film Awards, named in honour of the late revolutionary poet and artist, were conceived to restore a tradition of celebrating Telugu cinema’s contribution to cultural identity. Raju reflects on the months of preparation behind the event, extending thanks to FDC Managing Director Harish and the backstage team who worked tirelessly.
“Such events are not about individual vanity,” he says, “They are about recognising collective memory, culture and art. And when the government honours you, you must show up.”