Director Gunasekhar is admittedly hurt that his historical, 'Rudrama Devi' (2015), hasn't got the Best Film award, even a jury one. For the year 2015, 'Baahubali-The Beginning', 'Evade Subrahmanyam' and 'Nenu Sailaja' have been declared the Best Films, the latter two as No. 2 and No. 3 bests. 'Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju', 'Kanche' and 'Srimanthudu' have been given the Best Film awards in other categories, namely, Best Home-viewing, Best National Integration and Best Popular categories, respectively.

"Why hasn't 'Rudrama Devi', which told the story of a valorous woman, and a film that reminded the world of the greatness of a warrior-queen from our land, not got any recognition? My film didn't get Entertainment Tax exemption, which 'Gautamiputra Satakarni' got. Did I make a mistake by making the historical? I am sorry, then," Gunasekhar has said in a sarcastic tone.

"They are saying that those who question the choices of the awards committee will be disqualified from being awarded for the next 3 years. In which country are we living? Is this an independent India?" he has asked in an open letter.