The Nandi film awards 2010 were dominated by small budget films with a strong storyline by creative directors, which have walked away with a large part of the top honours this year.

Nandamuri Balakrishna bagged the best leading actor award for his performance in the commercial hit film, 'Simha,' while Nitya Menon was adjudged best leading actress for her role in the film 'Ala Modalaindi.' The awards were announced by noted director N Shankar, chairman of the AP State Nandi Film Awards Committee-2010, here on Friday. 'Maryada Ramanna' directed by S S Rajamouli with comedian Sunil as the lead actor won as many as four awards in different categories. 'Simha,' 'Vedam' and 'Varudu' won three awards each.

Awards committee chairman Shankar said that the state government should ideally give away the awards on Ugadi as was the practice earlier. However, even the awards for 2009 were not given away due to the political situation in the state.

The first best feature film award went to 'Vedam', while 'Ganga Putrulu' and 'Prasthanam' were adjudged the second and third best feature films respectively.

All three films did well with audiences. Allu Arjun and Anushka, the leading pair of `Vedam,' directed by Radhakrishna Jagarlamudi and produced by Y N Sobhanadri and D S S Prasad, will get Nandis for their performances.

The award for the best home viewing feature film went to 'Andari bandhuvaya,' while the best popular feature film award for providing wholesome entertainment went to 'Maryada Ramanna'.

Another film starring actor Balakrishna, - 'Param Veera Chakra' - also bagged an award, namely, the Sarojini Naidu award for best feature film on national integration. The film which was produced by C Kalyan, was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.

The Allu Ramalingaiah award for best comedian went to Dharmavarapu Subramanyam for the film 'Aalasyam Amrutham,' while Jhansi won best comedian (female) for her role in 'Simha'. V Nagineedu got the best villain award for the film 'Maryada Ramanna'.

It was also announced that Nandini Reddy bagged award for best first film of a director for 'Ala Modalaindi', while Chakri won the best music director award for 'Simha'.