Latest news with #GaddarTelanganaFilmAwards
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Withdrawal of award to ‘Razakar' urged
Hyderabad: A group of social activists, academicians, legal practitioners have joined hands to condemn the decision of the State government to award the controversial film 'Razakar'. Over 70 individuals representing different sections from across the country have demanded the Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for immediate withdrawal of the award conferred to 'Razakar' in the 'Best Film on History' category and urged to initiate an independent inquiry alleging violation of the award regulations. In the letter addressed to the CM, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Managing Director of Telangana State Film Development Corporation Arvind Kumar, they questioned the decision to award the film 'Razakar (Silent Genocide of Hyderabad)' describing it as a highly polarising and propaganda-driven film as the Best Film on History, under the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards. 'This film, produced and promoted by BJP leaders, attempts to distort history by portraying Hyderabadi Muslims as responsible for a so-called 'Silent Genocide of Hyderabad' under the guise of Razakars. Its clear intent is to polarise society and target Muslim community under the guise of historical representation,' they pointed out. Those undersigned include S Q Masood, Rama Melkote, Veena Shatrugna, Dr Prakash Louis, Anand Singh, Dr Ram Puniyani, Susie Tharu, Advocate L Ravichander, Shantha Sinha, Dr Jasveen Jairath, Bizeth Banerjee, Meera Sanghamitra amongst others.
The Print
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Congress in Telangana gave award to Razkar—a propaganda film that demonises Muslims
What did shock me and many others, however, was the Congress-run Telangana government giving Razakar an award at the inaugural Gaddar Telangana Film Awards, under the 'Environment/Heritage/History' category. So when Razakar bagged the Best Cinematography and Best Debut Director awards at the 15th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2025—again, not surprising. It hardly surprised anyone that the movie Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad was produced by Telangana BJP leader Gudur Narayan Reddy. After all, the propaganda film was intended to push the narrative that Muslims in the erstwhile state of Hyderabad attacked Hindus before its annexation into the Indian Union on 17 September 1948. Balladeer Gaddar, a former Naxalite turned activist who fought for Telangana statehood, is a name long associated with the Left in the state. He was linked with everyone who was ideologically opposed to Hindutva and right-wing politics. So the Congress has left many puzzled by awarding a film produced by a BJP leader. What's even more striking is that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi—who called Chief Minister Revanth Reddy an 'RSS Anna'—has remained silent on the matter. So why is this movie winning an award a problem? For starters, its portrayal of Muslims is a terrible caricature of the community in the state, and it distorts the facts of what happened in the days leading up to Hyderabad's annexation. I tried to watch the movie—but I had to walk out halfway because I simply couldn't take any more. The false portrayals of everything were just too disturbing. Also read: Revanth Reddy is battling a series of PR disasters in Telangana. Gachibowli to HYDRAA What happened in 1948 One of the most ignored aspects of Hyderabad's history growing up was information about the annexation of the erstwhile Hyderabad state. Formed in 1724 as a Mughal vassal state by the Asaf Jahi Nizams, the last Nizam of Hyderabad was Mir Osman Ali Khan, who ruled from 1911 to 1948. The state was one of the largest in India—around 82,698 square miles—including present-day Telangana, five districts of Maharashtra, and three of Karnataka (including Bidar and Gulbarga). It was relatively peaceful, thanks to a treaty with the British East India Company in 1798 and later with the British Crown, under which the Nizams enjoyed semi-autonomous rule. But as independence approached, things changed. Osman Ali Khan—like a few other princely rulers—wanted to stay independent. That became a problem in 1947. But what is often missed is that, even before that, by 1946, peasants in Telangana had started mobilising under the banner of the Communist Party of India (CPI) against extreme feudal oppression. Also read: Kharge on same page as BJP on Telangana's 'Liberation Day' row? 'Hyderabad got azaadi on 17 Sept 1948' The Telangana Rebellion 'Vetti Chakiri'—or bonded labour—was the norm. Thousands of peasants and lower-caste people were forced to slave for Jagirdars (land revenue collectors) who controlled around 60 per cent of the state. Many of these landlords were from dominant Hindu castes. Muslims made up about 10 per cent of the state's population. The Telangana Armed Struggle, a peasant uprising, began in 1946, a year before independence, and lasted until 21 October 1951, when the CPI officially called it off. Hyderabad was annexed on 17 September 1948, when the Indian government under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent in the Army after negotiations failed. The military action was also partly driven by fears that the CPI might take control of Telangana (a fact documented in historical records). One major trigger was the rise of the Razakars in 1947—a paramilitary group led by Qasim Razvi, then head of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). A fanatic, Razvi used the group to terrorise opponents of the Nizam's rule and to attack Hindus. Also read: Modi govt's Hyderabad 'Liberation' Day reopens old wounds. KCR's 'Integration' wiser approach Razakar's propaganda What the Razakars did was horrendous, and many families in Telangana still remember being attacked. That is a fact. But it is also a fact that many Muslims, both inside and outside the government, opposed the Razakars and supported a peaceful transition. Some, like the noted Urdu poet and revolutionary CPI leader Makhdoom Mohiuddin, actively fought the feudal system as part of the Communist-led resistance. The movie Razakar, however, entirely omits this part—especially the CPI-led Telangana armed struggle. Its entire focus is on the Razakar group, which it exploits to paint Muslims in a negative light. This one-sided narrative is partly the result of earlier governments suppressing historical truths, creating a vacuum that others now fill with propaganda. And that's the point. Since Telangana's formation, the BJP has been demanding official recognition of 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'—a phrase meant to imply the state was 'liberated' from Muslim rule. But Osman Ali Khan, after 1948, continued to serve as Rajpramukh (Governor) for a few years, and lived peacefully until his death in 1967. The film essentially claims that Hindus were oppressed and killed by Muslims during the annexation. But it entirely leaves out the brutal, caste-based feudal slavery that Dalits and other oppressed classes suffered at the hands of dominant-caste Jagirdars. Even some Congress leaders in the state were caught off guard by the award. 'They've been blaming our party—blaming Nehru—for the delay in Hyderabad's annexation. So by giving this movie an award, what message are we sending out?' a senior Muslim Congress leader told me. No one else seems to have an answer either. But the BJP seems to be quietly smiling in a corner. Unfortunately, instead of confronting history with facts and nuance, we now have a film that distorts the truth and sows seeds of communalism in Telangana. Yunus Lasania is a Hyderabad-based journalist whose work primarily focuses on politics, history and culture. He tweets @YunusLasania. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Film awards not just formalities, they deserve respect: Dil Raju
The inaugural Gaddar Telangana Film Awards, held in Hyderabad on Saturday, marked the first official film honours instituted by the state government since Telangana's formation in 2014. The event recognised outstanding contributions to Telugu cinema — both creative and technical — across categories, for the period spanning June 2014 to December 2024. While the event saw participation from various members of the Telugu film industry, several awardees, including Dulquer Salman, Shreya Ghoshal , Prashanth Reddy and Rajesh Kallepalli, were conspicuously absent. Their absence did not go unnoticed, with Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju expressing disappointment during a media interaction following the event. 'We organised the Telangana Gaddar Awards ceremony as a big event, after months of hard work, and made it a success. The CM (Revanth Reddy) had initially planned to stay just for an hour. However, as per my request, he stayed for more than two and a half hours and presented awards to everyone,' Raju said. He added, 'If you are being honoured with an award by the government, it becomes your responsibility to receive it with the respect it deserves.' He also noted that even a busy shooting schedule should not be an excuse and urged artistes and technicians to prioritise such occasions and treat them with due importance. TNN
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Telangana Gaddar Film Awards shine bright with star-studded ceremony
The maiden Telangana Gaddar Film Awards (TGFA) ceremony was organised in the presence of prominent film personalities, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy as the chief guest. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister for Cinematography and Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju lit the ceremonial lamp to kick off the event, which was also attended by veteran actors Jayaprada, Jayasudha and Suhasini. The iconic State film awards were presented after a gap of 14 years after the Telangana government revived it under the name 'Gaddar Telangana Film Awards', paying tribute to the late revolutionary poet and balladeer Gaddar. Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna received the 'NTR National Film Award', director Mani Ratnam the 'Paidi Jairaj Film Award' and Sukumar the 'BN Reddy Film Award'. The 'Kantha Rao Film Award' was presented to Vijay Devarakonda. Film writer Yandamuri Veerendranath received the 'Raghupathi Venkaiah Film Award'. Veteran actor and jury chairman M. Muralimohan and members of the jury were felicitated. The designer of the TGFA, Ramavath Nagula Naik, and others, including film critic Ponnam Ravichandra, were also honoured at the event. Actor Allu Arjun, who bagged the first best actor award for his blockbuster Pushpa 2, received the award from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and thanked the government for selecting him for the award. Speaking on the occasion, he said he was truly honoured to receive the first award for Pushpa 2 at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2024. 'All credit goes to my director Sukumar, my producers and the entire Pushpa team. I dedicate this award to all my fans,' he said. After receiving the 'NTR National Film Award', Nandamuri Balakrishna showered praise on the government for naming the film awards after balladeer Gaddar. He also remembered the contributions of his father, the late N.T. Rama Rao, to the Telugu film industry. Gaddar Foundation chairman and Gaddar's son Suryakiran, TGFDC MD and others were present at the event.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025: Allu Arjun, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nag Ashwin and more honoured
The winners of the inaugural edition of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards were presented with the trophies at a star-studded ceremony at Hitex in Hyderabad on Saturday (June 14). Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy felicitated the event, which was also attended by the state's deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju. Gaddar Foundation chairman and Gaddar's son Suryakiran and TGFDC MD S Harish were also present at the event. The chief guests presented the winners with a cash prize of ₹5 lakhs and a citation. The evening saw Reddy and Vikramarka present the Paidi Jairaj Film Award (Indian Film Personality) to veteran director Mani Ratnam. Meanwhile, superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna received the NTR National Film Award, while director Sukumar received the BN Reddy Film Award. The Kantha Rao Film Award was presented to actor Vijay Devarakonda, and film writer Yandamuri Veerendranath was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Film Award. Veteran actor and jury chairman M Muralimohan and members of the jury, including jury head, veteran actor Jayasudha, were felicitated as well. The designer of the TGFA, Ramavath Nagula Naik, and film critic Ponnam Ravichandra were also honoured. As a major highlight of the evening, Pushpa star Allu Arjun received the Best Leading Actor award from Chief Minister Reddy, to thunderous applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, won the Best Feature Film award. The second and third best feature film awards were bagged by Pottel, directed by Sahit Mothkuri, and Lucky Baskhar, directed by Venky Atluri. Ashwin also took home the Best Director award for Kalki 2898 AD, while Nivetha Thomas was awarded Best Leading Actress for her role in 35 Chinna Katha Kadu. Notably, the Telangana government revived the Telugu film awards this year in honour of revolutionary balladeer Gaddar. The Gaddar Telangana Film Awards marked the first time a ceremony was held in the state to felicitate the film industry since its formation in 2014. Here's the complete list of winners: Best Director: Nag Ashwin for Kalki 2898 AD Best Leading Actor: Allu Arjun for Pushpa 2: The Rule Best Leading Actress: Nivetha Thomas for 35 Chinna Katha Kadhu First Best Feature Film: Kalki 2898 AD Second Best Feature Film: Pottel Third Best Feature Film: Lucky Baskhar Best Supporting Actor: SJ Suryah for Saripodhaa Sanivaaram Best Supporting Actress: Saranya Pradeep for Ambajipeta Marriage Band Best Music Director: Bheems Ceciroleo for Razakar Best Male Playback Singer: Sid Sriram for Ooru Peru Bhairavakona Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for Pushpa 2: The Rule Feature Film on National Integration, Communal Harmony & Social Uplift: Committee Kurrollu Best Children's Film:35 Chinna Katha Kaadu Feature Film on Environment, Heritage, History: Razakar Best Debut Film Director: Yadu Vamsi for Committee Kurrollu Best Wholesome Entertainment Film: Aay Best Comedian: Satya and Vennela Kishore for Mathu Vadalara 2 Best Child Artist: Arun Dev for 35 Chinna Katha Kadu and Haarika for Mercy Killing Best Story Writer: Siva Paladugu for Music Shop Murthy Best Screenplay Writer: Venky Atluri for Lucky Baskhar Best Lyricist: Chandra Bose for Raju Yadav Best Cinematographer: Vishwanath Reddy for Gaami Best Editor: Navin Nooli for Lucky Baskhar Best Audiographer: Aravind Menon for Gaami Best Choreographer: Ganesh Acharya for Devara Best Art Director: Nitin Zihani Choudhary for Kalki 2898 AD Best Action Choreographer: Chandra Shekar Rathod for Gangster Best Makeup Artist: Nalla Seenu for Razakar Best Costume Designer: Archana Rao and Ajay Kumar for Kalki 2898 AD Special Jury Award 1: Dulquer Salmaan for Lucky Baskhar Special Jury Award 2: Ananya Nagalla for Pottel Special Jury Award 3: Sujith and Sandeep for KA Special Jury Award 4: Prashanth Reddy and Rajesh Kallepalli for Raju Yadav Jury Special Mention: Faria Abdullah for Mathu Vadalara 2
