The 25-year-old, who also made his debut in Bollywood with Rohan Sippy's "Dum Maaro Dum" this year won the award at the Lux CineMaa Awards held in Hyderabad, Sunday.
"Congratulations to Mr. Balakrishna, S.S. Rajamouli, Gautham Menon, my favourite Samantha Ruth Prabhu and all the other winners. Thank you Maa for the best debut award. A start like this always keeps us charged for our next," Rana, who couldn't attend the event, said in a statement.
"Sorry couldn't be there. And a big hug and much love to Bunny and Cris J for Vedam," he added.
"Leader" also won the best supporting actress award for Suhasini, who played Daggubati's mother in the movie.
Rana is currently shooting for his next Telugu film "Naa Ishtam" with actress Genelia D'Souza.