The 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards South took place on February 22 at the Adlux Convention Centre in Kochi, celebrating excellence in regional Indian cinema across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada industries. The event saw blockbuster successes and prestigious accolades, highlighting the talents behind some of the year’s most acclaimed films.
In Telugu cinema, Allu Arjun’s blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as the biggest winner, taking home awards including Best Film, Best Director for Sukumar, and acting honors for Arjun himself. The film also secured awards for Best Music, Best Lyrics, and Best Playback Singer (Male and Female). Amitabh Bachchan was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award for Kalki 2898 AD.
Tamil cinema’s top accolade went to Amaran, which garnered multiple awards including Best Film, Best Director (awarded jointly to PS Vinothraj and Rajkumar Periasamy), and acting awards for Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi. Notably, Aravind Swami and Anna Ben received Best Actor (Critics) and Best Actress (Critics) respectively.
In Malayalam cinema, the maximum honors went to Aadujeevitham, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, which won Best Actor (Prithviraj Sukumaran), along with awards for Best Director, Best Film (Critics’), and other technical categories. Mammoott y’s performance in Bramayugam was recognized as an outstanding supporting role.
Kannada cinema saw Shakhahaari take home the Best Film award, with Prithvi Konanur winning Best Director for Hadinelentu. The film Bagheera, featuring Srii Murali, was acknowledged in acting categories.
Full list of winners highlights:
Telugu
- Best Film: Pushpa 2: The Rule
- Best Director: Sukumar (Pushpa 2)
- Best Actor (Male): Allu Arjun (Pushpa 2)
- Best Supporting Actor (Male): Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki 2898 AD)
- Best Actress (Male): NIVETHA THOMAS (35 Chinna Katha Kadu)
- Best Actress (Critics): Kajal Aggarwal (Satyabhama)
Tamil
- Best Film: Amaran
- Best Director: PS Vinothraj & Rajkumar Periasamy
- Best Actor (Male): Sivakarthikeyan (Amaran)
- Best Actress (Male & Female): Aravind Swami & Sai Pallavi (Amaran)
- Critics’ Best Film: Meiyazhagan
Malayalam
- Best Film: Manjummel Boys
- Best Actor (Male): Mammoott y (Bramayugam)
- Critics’ Best Film: Ullozhukku and Kishkindha Kaandam
- Best Supporting Actress: Lijomol Jose (Her)
Kannada
- Best Film: Shakhahaari
- Best Director: Prithvi Konanur (Hadinelentu)
- Best Actor (Male): Srii Murali (Bagheera)
- Critics’ Best Actor (Male): Gowrishankar (Kerebete)
The event celebrated a gamut of talents from debutants to seasoned actors, with awards across categories like Best Debut Director, Best Cinematography, and Lifetime Achievement. The 70th Filmfare Awards South honored the vibrant diversity and remarkable storytelling of regional Indian cinema.