HYDERABAD: Commemorating the legendary film-makers BN Reddy, Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani, the State Government has constituted two national awards.
These awards carry a special memento, citation and cash reward of Rs 2 lakh. Complying with the promises made by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy during the Nandi Awards 2006 function held last year, the AP State Film, Television and Theatre Development Corporation Limited (APSFTTDCL) constituted the national awards after the legendary film-makers.
They will be presented during the Nandi Awards ceremony along with the prestigious Raghupati Venkaiah Award and NT Rama Rao Rangastala Puraskaram being awarded to eminent persons in the film and theatre arts.
The BN Reddy National Film Award will be presented to an eminent film director for his/her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, while the Nagi Reddy- Chakrapani National Film Award will be conferred to an eminent producer, writer or technician for his/her outstanding contribution to the Indian cinema. The Raghupat i Venkaiah Film Award will be given to eminent film personality of Telugu cinema and the NTR Rangastala Puraskaram will be given to eminent theatre personality for their contribution to theatre arts in Andhra Pradesh.
However, the officials have withdrawn the gold medal and the golden Nandi being presented for Raghupati Venkaiah award and NT Rama Rao Rangastala Purskaram.
``As the four awards are named after legandary personalities of cinema, we wanted them to be different from other awards and depict their contribution to the film and theatre arts.
The new mementos will be specially designed with superior quality,’’ explained the Corporation Managing Director C Parthasarathi.
Further, the cash prize for the Rajiv Pratibha Puraskars also have been enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh each.
The awards will be presented to six distinguished persons for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.