Gaddar Awards made a triumphant return after a 14-year hiatus, honoring the finest in Telugu cinema from 2014 to 2023. The grand ceremony to give away the prestigious awards is scheduled for June 14 at Hitex, Hyderabad, celebrating outstanding films, actors, and technicians who have significantly contributed to the industry over the past decade.
Top Winners of Gaddar Awards 2025
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Best Film: Kalki 2898 AD
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Second Best Film: Pottel
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Third Best Film: Lucky Baskhar
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Best Actor: Allu Arjun (Pushpa 2)
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Best Director: Nag Ashwin (Kalki 2898 AD)
Over 1248 films were considered for nominations, with 21 individual winners across categories like acting, direction, screenplay, music, and technical excellence. Special category awards were also named after Telugu legends like NTR, BN Reddy, and Raghupathi Venkaiah.
Award-Winning Films and Performances: A Closer Look
Kalki 2898 AD – Best Film & Best Director (Nag Ashwin)
A visually groundbreaking epic, Kalki 2898 AD is set in a dystopian future inspired by Indian mythology. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film reimagines the legend of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, as a savior of a fractured world. With a stellar cast including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, the film is hailed for its production scale, direction, and storytelling. Nag Ashwin’s futuristic vision earned him the Best Director award, while the film itself stood tall as the Best Film of the decade.
Pottel – Second Best Film
Pottel, directed by Sahit Mothkuri, is set in 1970s Telangana and paints a powerful portrait of caste and cultural politics in a remote village. The film explores generational trauma, village customs, and oppressive power dynamics. With compelling storytelling and raw performances, it made a strong impact, earning its place as Second Best Film at the Gaddar Awards.
Lucky Baskhar – Third Best Film, Best Screenplay (Venky Atluri), Special Jury Award (Dulquer Salmaan)
This intense period drama directed by Venky Atluri follows the journey of a common man who becomes involved in financial fraud to survive the harsh economic realities of the 1980s. Dulquer Salmaan’s layered performance as Baskhar won him a Special Jury Award, while Atluri’s screenplay stood out for its narrative grip and emotional depth, winning Best Screenplay.
Pushpa 2 – Best Actor (Allu Arjun)
Allu Arjun reprises his role as Pushpa Raj in this high-octane action sequel. His gritty and intense performance, filled with iconic dialogues and fierce action, reaffirmed his star power and range. His portrayal in Pushpa 2 earned him the Best Actor award for his raw, rustic, and emotionally charged performance.
Committee Kurrollu – Best Debut Director (Yadu Vamsi), Best Social Film
A surprise winner, Committee Kurrollu is a youth-centric film with a satirical lens on local politics and rural governance. Directed by debutant Yadu Vamsi, the film struck a chord with audiences for its social relevance and humor, earning accolades for Best Debut Director and Best Social Film.
AAY – Wholesome Entertainment Award
Directed by Anji Babu, AAY is a heartwarming romantic comedy with a strong cultural backdrop. With rich visuals of the Godavari region and humorous storytelling, the film was honored with the Wholesome Entertainment Award for being a clean family entertainer.
Saripodhaa Sanivaaram – Best Supporting Actor (S. J. Suryah)
S. J. Suryah delivered a haunting performance as a corrupt cop in this action-packed vigilante film. His nuanced acting brought complexity to an antagonist role, earning him the Best Supporting Actor award.
Ambajipeta Marriage Band – Best Supporting Actress (Sharanya Pradeep)
Sharanya Pradeep impressed with her layered portrayal of a schoolteacher in this village drama centered around caste discrimination and social honor. Her performance earned her the Best Supporting Actress award.
Music Shop Murthy – Best Story Writer (Shiva Paladugu)
This moving film about a widowed music shop owner and his dreams was lauded for its originality and emotional depth. Writer-director Shiva Paladugu was awarded Best Story Writer for his unique and touching narrative.
Razakar – Best Heritage Film, Best Music Director (Bheems)
Set against the backdrop of Hyderabad’s annexation, Razakar explores themes of resistance and identity. Bheems’ stirring music complemented the intense storyline, earning him the Best Music Director award. The film’s commitment to historical storytelling also won it the Best Heritage Film title.
35 Chinna Katha Kaadu – Best Children’s Film
A charming and emotional tale of a young boy’s journey to overcome academic pressure, this children’s film touched hearts across age groups and won the Best Children’s Film award. The film also won the Best Actress Award for Nivetha Thomas and Best Child Actor awards for Arun Dev.
Technical & Creative Brilliance Recognized
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Best Cinematographer: Vishwanath Reddy (Gami)
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Best Editor: Naveen Nooli (Lucky Baskhar)
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Best Singer (Male): Sid Sriram (Ooru Peru Bhairavakona)
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Best Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal (Pushpa 2)
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Best Lyricist: Chandrabose (Raju Yadav)
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Best Art Director: Adnitin Jihani Chowdhury (Kalki 2898 AD)
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Best Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya (Devara Ayudha Pooja)
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Best Action Choreographer: Chandrasekhar Rathod (Gangster)
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Best Studiographer: Arvind Menon (Gami)
Honoring Legends & Legacy
The Gaddar Awards not only honored modern talent but paid homage to iconic figures in Telugu cinema, instituting awards in memory of NTR, Paidi Jayaraj, BN Reddy, Nagireddy-Chakrapani, and Raghupathi Venkaiah, underlining the rich cinematic heritage of the Telugu film industry.
Journalist, writer Rentala Jaydev’s book Mana Cinema… First Reel’ won the Gaddar award for the Best Book on Cinema.
