69th National Film Awards: Here is how the Telugu film fraternity reacted

The 69th National Film Awards were announced yesterday. This year, Telugu movies bagged as many as 10 awards in different categories. 

Allu Arjun bagged the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film Pushpa: The Rise, directed by Sukumar. With the honour, the Pushpa star also became the first Telugu star to win the National Film Award for Best Actor. Acclaimed music director Devi Sri Prasad won the award for Best Music Direction.

SS Rajamouli's RRR, released in 2022, has received several accolades before, including the prestigious Oscars for Best Original Song, got six awards - Best Music Direction by MM Keeravani, Best Male Playback Singer for Kalabhairava, Best Choreography by Prem Rakshith, Best Stunt Choreography by King Soloman and Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Uppena, a romantic drama, directed by debutant filmmaker Sana Buchi Babu won the National Award for Best Telugu Film Award in the regional category.

Here is how the Telugu film fraternity reacted to the news announcement of their co-stars and industry friends winning the prestigious award:

Actor Jagadeesh Prathap Bhandari, who worked in Pushpa said, "My favourite actor and my favourite filmmaker have won today. I am even more fortunate to be a part of the film that got this actor and director the recognition they deserve. Pushpa gave me so much and we are shooting for Pushpa 2 now, so it gives us working on the film a lot of hope. There is also a lot more hope in store with these wins for the Telugu film industry. The National Awards have put their faith in good storytelling, it will certainly inspire us who are up-and-coming in the industry to aim bigger and do better work."

Actor Kiran Abbavaram said he has admired Allu Arjun's journey from his debut film Gangotri and called his win a "well-deserved" one. "He always had this kasi (gumption) to work hard and go big and it is inspiring to watch him win. Also happy to see two greats of Telugu cinema, Sukumar and Rajamouli, get recognition for their work in Pushpa and RRR respectively. The effort people put into making Pushpa, right from the dialect and everything else, is commendable. Proud to be a part of Telugu industry," he added.

DOP of Uppena Shamdat Sainudeen called it a "Big day" for him. He noted that he told the director that Uppena will make money and collect awards and that he is happy to witness that happen now. He further said, "I am also happy for Sukumar sir, what with Pushpa winning awards. Telugu cinema is at an international level now. We have a long way to go, but we have begun our ascent. I am also personally feeling proud that my decision to work in Uppena paid off."

Playback singer and music composer MM Srilekha said, "Yesterday Chandrayaan, and today this. What a day for our industry! Very happy for the achievements of all our Telugu awardees, Keeravani anna, Kaala Bhairava, our versatile star Allu Arjun, Choreographer Prem Rakshith and Uppena director Buchi Babu Sana. I am also so fortunate to have been a part of the National Awards jury, for both Telugu and Kannada categories. Charlie 777, a film I voted for, in the Best Kannada Film category, did win the award so I am very happy. It was a very hectic but humbling process, to have been a part of the Jury."

Srikanth Vissa, who wrote the dialogues of Allu Arjun's Pushpa along with AR Prabhav, expressed his disappointment that Sukumar did not win the National Award for Best Director.  "More than him feeling disappointed for me not winning the Best Dialogue Writer Award, I am disappointed that he has not won the Best Director Award. Nevertheless, I am very happy to see Allu Arjun get the Best Actor Award. Also happy for RRR and Uppena, which was yet another win in Sukumar's kitty. We have always made some great commercial cinema in our industry, it certainly feels heartening to see this long overdue recognition for our brand of cinema at a national level now," he said.