70th Filmfare Awards South Celebrates South Indian Cinema’s Finest

The 70th Filmfare Awards South With Kerala Tourism lit up the Adlux International Convention Centre in Kochi last night, honoring the best of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema from 2025. The milestone edition, held on February 21, 2026, brought together top stars, filmmakers, and industry icons for a glamorous celebration of regional storytelling, powerful performances, and blockbuster achievements.

The ceremony highlighted a year of diverse cinematic triumphs, with pan-Indian hits like Pushpa 2: The Rule and emotionally resonant films like Amaran leading the charge across categories. Supported by Kerala Tourism, the event featured dazzling red-carpet appearances, live performances, and emotional acceptance speeches that highlighted the vibrancy of South Indian films.

Telugu Cinema Pushpa 2: The Rule Reigns Supreme

The Telugu category saw Pushpa 2: The Rule sweep major honors, cementing its status as one of the year’s biggest commercial and critical successes. Directed by Sukumar, the film clinched Best Film, Best Director for Sukumar, and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Allu Arjun’s electrifying portrayal of Pushpa Raj.

Critics’ picks included Lucky Baskhar for Best Film (Critics’) and Teja Sajja for Best Actor (Critics’) in Hanu-Man. Nivetha Thomas won Best Actress for 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, while Amitabh Bachchan received Best Supporting Actor (Male) for his role in Kalki 2898 AD.

Tamil Cinema: Amaran Leads with Multiple Wins

Tamil films shone brightly, with Amaran emerging as a major winner, taking home Best Film and accolades for its lead stars. Sivakarthikeyan earned Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for his performance in the biographical drama, while Sai Pallavi was recognized in the Best Actress category (specific details from reports).

Rajkumar Periasamy shared Best Director honors alongside PS Vinothraj for Kottukkaali. Meiyazhagan secured Best Film (Critics’). Other notable wins included Uma Devi for Best Lyrics in Meiyazhagan.

Malayalam Cinema: Manjummel Boys and Bramayugam Triumph

Malayalam cinema celebrated its creative depth, with Manjummel Boys winning Best Film. Rahul Sadasivan took Best Director for Bramayugam, and Mammootty was honored for his powerful role in the same film (leading actor honors).

Ullozhukku and Kishkindha Kaandam tied for Best Film (Critics’). Prithviraj Sukumaran and Asif Ali shared Best Actor (Critics’) for Aadujeevitham and Kishkindha Kaandam, respectively. Urvashi won Best Actress for Ullozhukku.

Kannada Cinema: Shakhahaari Takes Top Spot

In Kannada, Shakhahaari claimed Best Film, with Sriimurali winning Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male). Prithvi Konanur was recognized for Best Director, and other technical awards highlighted the industry’s strong output.

The night featured cross-industry nods, including Amitabh Bachchan’s supporting role win, showcasing the growing pan-Indian appeal of South films. Red-carpet highlights included glamorous appearances by Allu Arjun, Sai Pallavi, Mammootty, Sivakarthikeyan, and more, with fans buzzing over fashion, heartfelt speeches, and surprise reunions.

The 70th Filmfare Awards South reaffirmed South Indian cinema’s global influence, blending commercial blockbusters with critically acclaimed narratives.

As the industry looks ahead, these wins set the stage for even greater achievements in the coming years.Full category breakdowns and more highlights are available on Filmfare’s official site.

Taibang Nganba

An avid cinephile and gaming enthusiast,Taibang Nganba brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the entertainment beat. With a keen eye for cinematic detail and a deep appreciation for the gaming world, he provide engaging insights into the dynamic realm of movies and games