Nani criticizes ‘Tier’ labels in Tollywood

Nani, known as the ‘Natural Star’ of Tollywood, has once again taken a strong stance against the practice of labeling actors as ‘Tier 1’ or ‘Tier 2,’ calling it a “stupid concept” that does more harm than good to the film industry.

Speaking at a press meet in Hyderabad on Monday, Nani expressed his frustration over the increasing obsession with categorizing stars based on box-office numbers and fanbase.

“This tier nonsense needs to stop. Why are we constantly putting actors into boxes? If you love a film, you watch it—it’s that simple. These labels only breed rivalry and dilute the spirit of storytelling,” he said.

Currently gearing up for the release of HIT 3, Nani urged media houses, trade analysts, and fans to shift focus from rankings to the art of cinema.

Nani’s remarks come amid an ongoing industry-wide debate around star power and box-office supremacy. The use of tier-based classification has become common across social media, film trade circles, and fan discussions—often tied to opening-day numbers and pan-India appeal. However, Nani believes these discussions take away from what truly matters: the story, the performances, and the cinematic experience.

The actor’s comments struck a chord with many fans online.

Nani’s stance

This isn’t the first time Nani has voiced opposition to this system. In multiple interviews over the past few years, he’s maintained that such rankings are reductive and fail to acknowledge the depth of an actor’s craft.

As Tollywood prepares for a competitive year with numerous big releases lined up, Nani’s call for unity and focus on quality storytelling could not be timelier. On the other hand, “HIT 3”, Nani’s most intense and violent film, is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2025.