SIIMA Awards 2025: Devara Snub Shocks Fans as Pushpa 2, Kalki, Hanuman Top the Charts

The SIIMA Awards 2025 nominations are officially out, and while films like Pushpa 2, Kalki 2898 AD, and Hanuman lead with over 10 nominations each, fans are stunned by one unexpected omission, Devara, starring NTR Jr. Despite its box office success and massive fan following, SIIMA left it out of most key categories. The Telugu film world is now buzzing with one big question: Why did SIIMA ignore Devara?

Pushpa 2, Kalki, Hanuman Dominate Telugu Nominations

Pushpa 2 took the top spot in Telugu with 11 nominations, thanks to its strong box office run and solid audience engagement. Close on its heels are Kalki 2898 AD and Hanuman, both grabbing 10 nominations each. The jury clearly recognized these films for their innovative storytelling, powerful visuals, and impactful performances.

Devara Misses the Mark Despite Strong Reception

While Devara scored big at the box office and featured a commanding performance by NTR Jr., SIIMA gave it almost no major recognition. Fans expected it to be nominated in categories like Best Actor, Best Action, and Best Music, but the jury left it out. Guntur Kaaram, starring Mahesh Babu, also faced a similar snub.

What Went Wrong with Devara’s SIIMA Journey?

Critics suggest SIIMA did not favor Devara because it received mixed reviews. Though audiences supported the film, some felt it fell short of the emotional depth and craft of NTR’s RRR. SIIMA’s jury seems to have prioritized narrative quality and artistic excellence over mass appeal. That explains why films like Kalki and Hanuman received more recognition while big commercial projects like Devara were ignored.

Outrage Spreads Across Social Media

Fans have taken to social media to slam SIIMA’s decision, calling it “biased”, “unfair,” and “a disrespect to NTR Jr.’s efforts.” Many believe that, at the very least, Devara deserved technical nominations, especially in cinematography, background score, and production design. Even industry insiders are beginning to question whether SIIMA is honoring true talent or only rewarding specific kinds of films.

Is SIIMA Shifting Focus from Star Power to Storytelling?

Judging by this year’s pattern, SIIMA 2025 clearly appears to be rewarding creativity, originality, and meaningful storytelling over traditional star-driven blockbusters. While this could improve the artistic quality of Indian cinema, it also risks alienating fans who support mass entertainers. Whether this new approach continues in the future remains uncertain, but for now, Devara’s exclusion stands as one of SIIMA 2025’s biggest controversies.

Top Nominated Films at SIIMA 2025 🌍🏆

Telugu
🏹 Pushpa 2 – 11 Nominations
⚔ Kalki 2898 AD – 10 Nominations
⚡ Hanuman – 10 Nominations

Tamil
💥 Amaran – 13 Nominations
🏏 Lubber Pandhu – 8 Nominations
🌱 Vaazhai – 7 Nominations

Kannada
🩸 Bheema – 9 Nominations
🎬 Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi – 9 Nominations
🌙 Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali – 7 Nominations

Malayalam
🐐 The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham) – 10 Nominations
🛡 ARM – 9 Nominations
🎉 Aavesham – 8 Nominations

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