HYDERABAD: The Telugu film industry opened its new year with three cheers as two big budget films and one small made it to the list of winners in the prestigious 64 th National Awards 2016 announced on Friday.
Shatamanam Bhavati, the multi-starrer family drama with popular sentiment directed by Satish Vagesna won the ‘Best Wholesome Entertainment Film’ award ‘in appreciation of providing a feeling of jubilation by respecting family values in an unexplored manner’.
Starring Prakash Raj, Jaya Sudha and Sharwanand, the movie made on a budget of `8 crore hailed the joint family system in rural India.
NTR-starrer and blockbuster movie Janatha Garage, which put the focus back on environment, fetched Raju Sundaram the best choreographer award for the song Pranamam.
‘Visually appealing and with a definite flourish and finish to the dance’ is how the jury described his movements. NTR’s smooth dance was, of course, a treat to his fans. Interestingly, Mohan Lal who had a prominent role in the movie (made on a reported budget of `40 crore) also won the special jury award for his performance in the movie.
Pellichoopulu won ‘Best Telugu Film’ and also got its director Tharun Bhascker the award for ‘Best Dialogues’.
The awards would be presented by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3. Interestingly, all the three movies also got a thumbs-up at the box-office.