Though rains threatened to play spoilsport, the Nandi Awards function for the years 2005 and 2006 was a grand success held for the first time on a grand scale at L B Stadium in the City on Sunday evening.
Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy announced his Government’s decision to give away national awards in the name of B N Reddy and Nagi Reddy from next year besides allowing exhibitors to hike the maximum ticket price from Rs 35 to Rs 50.
Superstar Krishna, Mahesh Babu, Nagarjuna and actress Trisha stole the limelight at the spectacular event.
Krishna, Ilayaraja, Ambareesh and Waheeda Rehman were given away NTR National awards for the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively. While M S Reddy and D Ramanaidu were given away Raghupathi Venkayya awards for the years 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Mahesh Babu received best actor award for his film Athadu for the year 2005 while Nagarjuna received the best actor award for his film Sri Ramadasu for the year 2006. Trisha received the best actress award for her film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana for the year 2005.
Following the cultural programmes, the jury members of NTR National Awards, Raghupathi Venkayya Awards and Nandi Awards, including Mohan Babu, TL Kantha Rao, M Balaiah, KB Thilak and A Suryanarayana Rao, were felicitated.
Pothe Poni and Bommarillu received Nandi awards for the first best films for the years 2005 and 2006 respectively. Sekhar Kammula, Surender Reddy of Athanokkade, Krishna Vamsi, Srihari, Mohan Goteti, Sunil, Dr Siva Prasad, Santhoshini, Trivikram Srinivas and Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry were among those who received the awards.
Sumalatha, Sneha, Sai Kumar, Vijay Chandar, Sindhu Tolani, Siva Balaji, Navadeep, Vadde Naveen, Gundu Hanumantha Rao, Kondavalasa, Gautham Raju, director Raghavendra Rao and Ahuthi Prasad, Ministers, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Mohd Ali Shabbir and Mukesh Gowd, MPs Anjan Kumar Yadav, T Subbirami Reddy and KVP Ramachandra Rao were present on the occasion.
Addressing the media, Film Chamber of Commerce president KS Rama Rao, Film Chamber Sector Council chairman C Kalyan and secretary TS Ramprasad on Monday expressed their joy over the Government’s decision allowing to hike ticket price from Rs 35 to 50. “We have requested the government to reduce VAT from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent and consider films below 70 prints against 35 as small films but the government responded to it by allowing us to hike ticket price,’’ they said.