Tollywood Cinema History

The Raghupathi Venkaiah Award is an annual award introduced to identify people for their duration achievements and contributions to the Telugu film industry. Andhra Pradesh State Government incorporated this celebrated award in 1981 in the honor of Raghupathi Venkaih Naidu, a pioneer of Indian film industry. The champion of each year will be felicitated and presented a Golden Nandi, a Gold medal, citation and cash prize of Rs 50,000 at the state government's Nandi Awards functions.

Winners of the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
• 2008: Vijaya Nirmala (actress, producer and director)
• 2007: Tammareddy Krishna Murthy (producer)
• 2006: Daggubati Rama Naidu (producer, actor)
• 2005: M.S. Reddy (producer, writer, and director)
• 2004: Krishnaveni (actress and producer)
• 2003: V B Rajendra Prasad (producer)
• 2002: P. Susheela (playback singer)
• 2001: Allu Rama Lingaiah (actor)
• 2000: T.L.Kantharao
• 1999: Santha Kumari (actress and producer)
• 1998: Gummadi (actor)
• 1997: V.Madhusudhana Rao
• 1996: Inturi Venkateswara Rao
• 1995: K.S.Prakash Rao
• 1994: Anjali Devi (actress)
• 1993: Dukkipati Madhusudhan Rao (producer)
• 1992: S. Rajeswara Rao (composer)
• 1991: K. Viswanath (Film director)
• 1990: Dasari Narayana Rao (actor, director, and producer)
• 1989: Akkineni Nageswara Rao (actor)
• 1988: D.V.S.Raju
• 1987: B.Nagi Reddy (producer)
• 1986: Bapu-Ramana
• 1985: Bhanumati (actor, producer, singer, music director, and writer)
• 1984: Kosaraju Raghavaiah Choudary
• 1983: M.A.Rahman
• 1982: B.A. Subba Rao (producer)
• 1981: P. Pullaiah (director and producer)
• 1980: L.V.Prasad