Gaddar Film Awards 2025: Naga Chaitanya, Rashmika Mandanna Win Top Acting Honours as Telangana Announces Winners
The Telangana government officially announced the winners of the Gaddar Film Awards 2025 on Saturday, marking the second edition of the state-backed film awards celebrating excellence in Telugu cinema. Actor Naga Chaitanya and actress Rashmika Mandanna emerged as the biggest winners this year, securing the Best Actor and Best Actress awards respectively.
The awards were introduced in 2025 by the Telangana government to replace the historic Nandi Awards, which were previously given during the unified Andhra Pradesh era. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy led the initiative to recognise outstanding contributions to cinema produced and released in 2024.
The grand award ceremony will take place on March 19 (Ugadi), where leading Tollywood celebrities are expected to attend the celebration.
The winners were selected by a jury panel headed by veteran filmmaker Thammareddy Bharadwaj, who announced the results across several categories covering acting, direction, music, and technical achievements.
The film “Raju Weds Rambai” dominated the ceremony by winning Best Film, while filmmaker Sailu took home the Best Director award for the same project.
Actor Naga Chaitanya won Best Actor for his performance in the much-talked-about film “Thandel.” Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna was awarded Best Actress for her role in “The Girlfriend.”
Other major winners included Sivaji, who received the Best Supporting Actor award for “Dhandoraa,” and Bhumika, who won Best Supporting Actress for “Euphoria.”
Music also played a significant role in the awards this year. Composer Mark K Robin secured Best Music Director for “Dhandoraa,” while singers Anurag Kulkarni and Sahithi Chaganti won playback awards for their respective performances.
Several films also received recognition for technical achievements. “Mirai” won multiple honours including Best Cinematography and Best Editing, while “Champion” earned awards for choreography, art direction, and costume design.
Among the honorary recognitions, legendary actors and filmmakers received prestigious lifetime honours. Chiranjeevi received the NTR National Award, while veteran actress Jayasudha was honoured with the ANR Award. Legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and actor Kamal Haasan were also recognised for their extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema.
The Gaddar Film Awards were launched to create a new identity for Telangana’s film industry after the Nandi Awards became inactive following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
Named after revolutionary poet and cultural icon Gaddar, the awards aim to celebrate artistic expression and encourage filmmakers working within the Telugu film industry.
In its inaugural edition last year, several major films and stars were recognised. Allu Arjun won the Best Actor Award for “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” while Nivetha Thomas secured Best Actress for “35 – Chinna Katha Kaadu.” Director Nag Ashwin also received the Best Director award for “Kalki 2898 AD,” which won Best Film in the first edition.
The debut awards ceremony was widely praised for highlighting both mainstream commercial cinema and content-driven films.
The announcement of this year’s winners quickly sparked conversations across the Telugu film industry and among fans on social media. Supporters of Naga Chaitanya celebrated his win as a recognition of one of his most mature performances in recent years.
Similarly, Rashmika Mandanna’s award has generated excitement among fans, especially as she continues to strengthen her position as one of the most prominent actresses in Indian cinema.
Industry insiders also praised the awards for recognising films across diverse genres, including social-message films, children’s cinema, and environmental storytelling.
The inclusion of technical categories and special jury recognitions also reflects the government’s effort to highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
All eyes are now on the Ugadi awards ceremony on March 19, where Tollywood stars, filmmakers, and technicians will gather to celebrate the winners.
The event is expected to feature live performances, celebrity appearances, and tributes to legendary cinema figures receiving honorary awards.
For the Telangana government, the Gaddar Film Awards represent an important step toward strengthening the regional film industry and recognising cinematic excellence across the Telugu-speaking world.
With strong participation from filmmakers and growing public interest, the awards are quickly becoming one of the most anticipated annual events in the South Indian film industry.
Our Final Thoughts
The Gaddar Film Awards are gradually establishing themselves as an important platform for celebrating Telugu cinema. By honouring both mainstream stars and behind-the-scenes talent, the awards highlight the diverse creativity driving the industry forward.
The recognition of performers like Naga Chaitanya and Rashmika Mandanna also reflects how modern Telugu cinema continues to evolve, blending commercial success with strong storytelling. As the ceremony approaches on Ugadi, expectations are high for a grand celebration of Tollywood’s achievements.
If the growing buzz around the awards is any indication, the Gaddar Film Awards could soon become one of the most prestigious recognitions for filmmakers in the region.