Haasan, Chiranjeevi Urge Unified Indian Cinema at Gaddar Awards

Hyderabad, India – Veteran actors Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi used their acceptance speeches at the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards 2025 to advocate for a unified Indian cinema industry, urging the elimination of regional labels like Tollywood and Bollywood in favor of a single national framework centered in Hyderabad.

The ceremony, held on March 20 at the HITEX Convention Centre, celebrated excellence in Telugu films released from January to December 2025. Organized by the Telangana government to replace the discontinued Nandi Awards, the event honors the legacy of revolutionary poet and singer Gaddar, after whom it is named. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented special awards to industry stalwarts, while Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and other officials highlighted the government's commitment to fostering cinema as a driver of cultural and economic growth.

Kamal Haasan received the Paidi Jairaj Award for his contributions to Indian cinema. In his speech, he recounted his early ties to Hyderabad, noting his arrival at age 16 as an assistant choreographer on a film starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao. He paid tribute to director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, who received...