Allu Arjun Wins Gaddar Award for Best Actor in Surprise Move by Telangana Government

In a surprising and bold move, the Telangana government today announced the winners of the prestigious Gaddar Awards, with superstar Allu Arjun receiving the Best Actor award. What caught everyone off guard was the government’s decision to honour Allu Arjun despite previous tensions stemming from the Pushpa 2 promotional event stampede incident.

The Congress-led Telangana government revived the Gaddar Awards after a 14-year hiatus and recently formed a dedicated jury committee to oversee the selections. Many speculated that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the ruling party held a grudge against Allu Arjun due to the unfortunate events surrounding the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule. The stampede at Sandhya Theatre, during a premiere attended by Allu Arjun, led to the tragic death of a woman and left her son critically injured. In the aftermath, CM Revanth Reddy spoke in the Assembly, criticizing Allu Arjun for allegedly ignoring police instructions. The actor, too, held press conferences where his statements appeared to challenge the government’s stance.

Given the strained relations, many believed the government would sideline both Pushpa 2 and Allu Arjun from recognition. With Jr. NTR's Devara also a strong contender—and considering the CM’s known camaraderie with NTR—it seemed plausible that the award would be steered in that direction.

However, the government made a bold and refreshing statement by choosing merit over politics. CM Revanth Reddy’s gesture sends a clear message: the government supports talent without prejudice. By endorsing the jury’s independence and allowing them full freedom in their choices, the administration emphasized its commitment to fairness in recognizing artistic excellence.

This move not only reinforces the credibility of the Gaddar Awards but also appears to signal a mending of ties between the state and the actor. It lays to rest the lingering notion of a rift and reaffirms that talent, not personal bias, will be the guiding force in the state’s recognition of cultural contributions.