The third Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah National Comedian Award, instituted in the memory of Allu Ramalingaiah by 'Sanskrithikabandhu' Saripalli Kondala Rao, was presented to star comedian Johny Lever at a function at Harihara Kala Bhavan, Secunderabad on Sunday, October 1. The day also marks the 85th birth anniversary of the late comedian. The earlier recipients of the award, instituted in the year 2004, were Manorama, and Brahmanandam.

Pawan Kalyan, Nagendra Babu and T. Subbirami Reddy did the honours. Also present were a horde of comedians of Tollywood-Brahmanandam, Kota, Babumohan, Rallapalli, Ali, Suneel, Mallikarjuna Rao, Krishna Bhagawan, LB Sriram and Gundu Hanumantha Rao.