Several Telugu filmmakers and artists brought pride to Tollywood at the 71st National Film Awards, securing top honors across various categories, including ‘Bhagavanth Kesari,’ ‘HanuMan,’ ‘Baby,’ ‘Balagam,’ and ‘Gandhi Tatha Chettu.’ The ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, celebrated the finest achievements in Indian cinema across languages. President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious awards to winners from diverse film industries, marking a proud moment for Indian cinema. Telugu cinema also stood tall with several significant wins. Director Anil Ravipudi and producer Sahu Garapati proudly accepted the Best Telugu Feature Film Award for ‘Bhagavanth Kesari,’ a film that resonated deeply with viewers through its compelling storytelling and emotional depth.
The blockbuster ‘HanuMan’ maintained its winning streak on national platforms, securing two awards. Nandu and Prudhvi earned recognition for Best Stunt Choreography, while Jetty Venkat Kumar, Niranjan Reddy, and Prasanth Varma were honored in the Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) category, further solidifying the film’s groundbreaking technical achievements. The musical talent of Telugu cinema was also highlighted, with lyricist Kasarla Shyam winning the Best Lyrics Award for the heartfelt track ‘Ooru Palletooru’ from ‘Balagam,’ and PVNS Rohit receiving the Best Male Playback Singer Award for ‘Premistunna’ from ‘Baby.’ Additionally, Writer-Director Sai Rajesh was awarded the Best Screenplay Award for ‘Baby,’ a film celebrated for its raw emotions and relatable narrative.
A touching moment occurred when Sukriti Veni Bandreddi, daughter of director Sukumar, was named Best Child Artist for her authentic performance in ‘Gandhi Tatha Chettu.’ The 71st National Film Awards not only showcased the rich diversity of Indian cinema but also reaffirmed the creative strength of Telugu films on the national stage. With Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke honor and a series of Telugu achievements, it was a day of immense pride for the industry and its fans. ‘Bhagavanth Kesari’ was awarded Best Telugu Film, with Balakrishna’s action drama recognized at the event. Director Anil Ravipudi and producer Sahu Garapati received the accolade from President Droupadi Murmu during the glittering ceremony.
‘Bhagavanth Kesari’ was not only a commercial success but also struck an emotional chord with audiences through its strong focus on empowering the girl child, with pivotal performances by Sreeleela and Kajal Aggarwal. The production house expressed their pride on X, stating, ‘A Moment of Glory. #BhagavanthKesari etches its name in history at the 71st National Awards, honoured as the Best Telugu Film. A proud moment for Telugu cinema and a shining milestone for the entire team.’