The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh the awards are named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of the Telugu people.
Nandi Awards are presented in four categories: Gold (Swarnam), Silver (Rajatam), Bronze (Kamsyam), and Copper (Raagi). A variant, the Nandi Natakotsavam Awards for Theatre, is also given every year by the government for social, mythological and poetic dramas.
History
The Government of Andhra Pradesh commissioned the Nandi Film Awards to recognise and commend the best films produced in the Telugu language in Andhra Pradesh from 1964 onwards. The objective of the film awards is to encourage the production of films in the Telugu language with high technical excellence and aesthetic values bearing cultural, educational, and social relevance and also promoting the integration and unity of the nation. Awards are given annually and are presented in a public event on the Ugadi, Telugu New Year Day. The Government has transferred the activity relating to conferring Nandi Awards to the Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation. Since 1998, the awards are organised by them.
The Awards are given in the categories of feature films, feature films on national integration, children's films, documentary films, educational films, and books/articles on Telugu cinema in Telugu language for the best films, producers, directors, artistes, and technicians. The awards are usually in the form of Golden Nandi, Silver Nandi, Bronze Nandi, and Copper Nandi, in addition to medals, commendation certificates.
Selection criteria
Annually, a state panel appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh selects the winning entry and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh presents the awards in the award ceremony. A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations. The criteria for eligibility contains many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement that the film, and particularly films entering the competition, should be produced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and in case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many conditions which should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify.
According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration of the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between 1 January and 31 December. The Government do not have influence over which films are selected for consideration and which films ultimately win awards. However, there are strict criteria which are being scrutinised by the government as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels.
Honorary Awards – Gold
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
The award is named after Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, and presented annually to "an eminent film personality for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema." (since 1980).
NTR National Award
The NTR National Award is named in the memory of former chief minister and actor N. T. Rama Rao, and is presented to "an eminent film personality every year for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema." (since 1996).
BN Reddy National Award
The award is named after director B. N. Reddy and is presented to "an eminent film Director for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Indian Cinema," annually from 2009. The awardee receives a cash price of 2 lakh, a special memento, citation and shawl. 2008: K. B. Tilak (director and producer) 2009: K. Raghavendra Rao (film director) 2011: Shyam Benegal (film director) 2012: Singeetam Srinivasa Rao (director and producer) 2013: A. Kodandarami Reddy (director) 2014: S. S. Rajamouli (director) 2015: Trivikram Srinivas (director) 2016: Boyapati Srinu (director)
Nagireddy–Chakrapani National Award
Named after filmmakers, Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani, the award is presented annually since 2009 to "an eminent film Producer or Writer or Technician or Infrastructure provider to the film industry for outstanding growth and development of the Indian Cinema every year." The awardee receives a cash price of 2 lakh, a special memento, citation and shawl. 2008: Akkineni Ramesh Prasad – (film producer) 2009: Ramoji Rao – (film producer) 2010: M. Saravanan and Balasubramanian 2011: G. Adiseshagiri Rao – (film producer) 2012: Daggubati Suresh Babu – (film producer) 2013: Dil Raju – (film producer) 2014: R. Narayan Reddy (producer) 2015: M. M. Keeravani (music director) 2016: K. S. Rama Rao (producer)