Nandi Awards
The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise the excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the award is named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of the Telugu people. Nandi Awards are presented in four categories: Gold (Swarnam), Silver (Rajatam), Bronze (Kamsyam), and Copper (Raagi). A variant, the Nandi Natakotsavam Awards for Theatre, is also given every year by the government for social, mythological and poetic dramas. History. The Government of Andhra Pradesh commissioned the  Nandi Film Awards to recognise and commend the best films produced in the Telugu language in Andhra Pradesh from 1964 onwards. The objective of the film awards is to encourage the production of films in the Telugu language with high technical excellence and aesthetic values bearing cultural, educational, and social relevance and also promoting the integration and unity of the nation. Awards are given annually and are presented in a public event on the Ugadi, Telugu New Year Day. The Government has transferred the activity relating to conferring Nandi Awards to the Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation. Since 1998 , the awards are organised by them. The Awards are given in the categories of feature films, feature films on national integration, children's films, documentary films, educational films, and books/articles on Telugu cinema in Telugu language for the best films, producers, directors, artistes, and technicians. The awards are usually in the form of "Golden Nandi", "Silver Nandi", "Bronze Nandi", and "Copper Nandi", in addition to medals, commendation certificates. Selection criteria. Annually, a state panel appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh selects the winning entry and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh presents the awards in the award ceremony . A list of rules is presented every year in a document of regulations. The criteria for eligibility contains many clauses. Among them, there is a direct requirement that the film, and particularly films entering the competition, should be produced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and in case of co-production involving a foreign entity, there are as many conditions which should be fulfilled in order for the film to qualify. According to the criteria, in order to be eligible for consideration of the jury, a film should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between 1 January and  31 December. The Government do not have influence over which films are selected for consideration and which films ultimately win awards. However, there are strict criteria which are being scrutinised by the government as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels. Honorary Awards – Gold. Raghupathi Venkaiah Award. The award is named after Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, and presented annually to "an eminent film personality for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema." (since 1980). NTR National Award. The NTR National Award is named in the memory of former chief minister and actor N. T. Rama Rao, and  is presented to "an eminent film personality every year for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema." (since 1996). BN Reddy National Award. The award is named after director B. N. Reddy and is presented to "an eminent film Director for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Indian Cinema," annually from 2009. The awardee receives a cash price of 2 lakh, a special memento, citation and shawl. Nagireddy–Chakrapani National Award. Named after filmmakers, B. Nagi Reddy and Aluri Chakrapani, the award is presented annually since 2009 to "an eminent film Producer or Writer  or Technician or Infrastructure provider to the film industry for outstanding growth and development of the Indian Cinema every year." The awardee receives a cash price of 2 lakh, a special memento, citation and shawl. Criticism and controversies. The Nandi Awards of 2014 have sparked a controversy where a few Telugu filmmakers have alleged political favouritism, casteism and negligence. The producer of "Race Gurram" (2014), Nallamalupu Bujji felt that his film was ignored despite being "the biggest hit of 2014" as they did not indulge in lobbying. Bunny Vasu, a close associate of the Allu–Konidela family also echoed the  same. Some have pointed out that the winners mainly belonged to the Kamma community. Gunasekhar, the director of 2015 film "Rudhramadevi", in an open letter to the Government of Andhra Pradesh wrote: "Why wasn't "Rudhramadevi" considered for one of the three Best Feature Film awards, despite its subject, which highlighted the achievements of a queen? Wasn't it even good enough for a jury award?" Producer Bandla Ganesh dubbed the awards as "Cycle Awards" taking a dig at the symbol of then ruling Telugu Desam Party. Responding to the allegations, Nara Lokesh, then IT minister and the son of  the chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, asked why Hyderabad-based filmmakers were being critical of the state which they were not residents of. Actor-director Posani Krishna Murali returned his Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor (2015), condemning Lokesh's comments. Chief minister Naidu said that he never expected that the awards would trigger so much controversy.