The Nandi Awards is the most Prominent award ceremony for Telugu films, Telugu Theater & Television, presented annually in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Nandi" means "bull", the awards being named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of Andhra Pradesh. Nandi Awards are presented in four categories: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper. A variant, Nandi Natakotsavam Awards for Theater is also given every year by the Andhra Pradesh government for social, mythological and poetic Dramas.
The prestigious Nandi film awards are unlikely to take place this year also. The last time the function was held was on March 17, 2010 to give away the awards for the year 2008. It seems that the state government is showing little interest in the affairs of the film industry. This might be due to the fact that Tollywood is dominated by people who are closer to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The film industry too is a divided house and hardly shares any rapport with the state government. The awards for the years 2009 and 2010 were announced by the Andhra Pradesh State Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation.
But the awards are yet to be given away as no function has been organised. The awards for 2011 may be announced this year. "It is quite obvious that it is due to political reasons that the state government is showing indifference towards the film industry. The industry itself has people who are pursuing their own individual agenda and are unable to pressure the government on any issue," said producer Natti Kumar. Andhra Pradesh State Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation managing director B Venkatesham told STOI that efforts were being made to organize the Nandi film awards function at a suitable time.
Since the presence of the chief minister is a must for giving away the awards, the FDC is waiting for chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's nod. But, since the day he took over the position, the chief minister has not found time or the inclination to spare some time to give away the awards. In 2008, while giving away the awards on March 17, former chief minister K Rosaiah had suggested that it should become a practice to give away the awards on that day itself every year.
The prestigious Nandi film awards are unlikely to take place this year also. The last time the function was held was on March 17, 2010 to give away the awards for the year 2008. It seems that the state government is showing little interest in the affairs of the film industry. This might be due to the fact that Tollywood is dominated by people who are closer to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The film industry too is a divided house and hardly shares any rapport with the state government. The awards for the years 2009 and 2010 were announced by the Andhra Pradesh State Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation.
But the awards are yet to be given away as no function has been organised. The awards for 2011 may be announced this year. "It is quite obvious that it is due to political reasons that the state government is showing indifference towards the film industry. The industry itself has people who are pursuing their own individual agenda and are unable to pressure the government on any issue," said producer Natti Kumar. Andhra Pradesh State Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation managing director B Venkatesham told STOI that efforts were being made to organize the Nandi film awards function at a suitable time.
Since the presence of the chief minister is a must for giving away the awards, the FDC is waiting for chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's nod. But, since the day he took over the position, the chief minister has not found time or the inclination to spare some time to give away the awards. In 2008, while giving away the awards on March 17, former chief minister K Rosaiah had suggested that it should become a practice to give away the awards on that day itself every year.