The team of Dhandoraa gathered for a heartfelt Thank You Meet in Hyderabad on Sunday, following the film’s success at the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, where it secured honors for Best Second Film, Best Supporting Actor for Sivaji, and Best Music Director for Mark K. Robin.
Speaking on the occasion, director Muralikanth Devasoth admitted that speaking about the film now felt deeply emotional, recalling the intense creative process and the many sleepless nights spent with Mark. He shared that the composer would often pour tea for him during late-night sessions, noting that this award has finally given the right recognition to their very own Hyderabad talent. Muralikanth also reserved special praise for Sivaji, calling him the backbone of the film’s production and stating that completing the project in such a short span was possible only because of the actor's cooperation and lack of demands. The director further shared how the film’s subject resonated strongly with people across Telangana, particularly those from communities with very little land for cremation. He remarked that being thanked for making a film on this issue made the audience feel represented, which he considered the biggest award he could receive.
Actor Bhaskar expressed his happiness during the event, noting that such awards and encouragement are vital for good films and actors alike. Similarly, actor Rajasekhar credited Jr. NTR for helping the film reach a wider audience and praised Mark’s score for elevating the story's emotional intensity. Actor Suresh pointed out that while stories of this nature often come from other languages, it is significant that such a tale has now emerged from Telugu cinema and bagged a prestigious award. Actor Poorna shared that the film had given him a truly memorable character, mentioning that people are now recognizing him specifically through his role in this project.
Music director Mark thanked the media for their support and expressed his gratitude to CM Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka. Reflecting on the award being named after the legendary Gaddar, he said that he grew up listening to Gaddar’s songs, describing them as a fire that shook the whole of Telangana and stating that receiving an award in his name is a great honor.
Actor Sivaji, who has been busy lately bagging multiple offers, dedicated the honor to every technician who worked on the film, specifically praising the work of cinematographer Venkat R. Shakamuri and editor Srujana Adusumilli. Sivaji revealed that he never had a full night's sleep during the shoot because his character required a tired and worn-out look. He described the film as a library of terrific acting and remained confident that the strength of the writing would ensure more awards in the future.
Producer Benny Muppaneni concluded the event by thanking the Telangana Government and the jury. He added that the film was a result of true teamwork and acknowledging the support of the press and fellow producers.
Dhandoraa, released in theatres in December 2025, has been streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Many reviewers have compared its impact to films like Jai Bhim or Balagam. The film explores how caste dictates "dignity in death," using the passing of a village patriarch as a lens to examine social hierarchies and family dynamics.
