Stars, Stories and Silver Screen Glory: A Night to Remember at the 70th Filmfare Awards South

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The 70th Filmfare Awards South truly became a celebration of cinema on February 21, 2026, as the biggest stars from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema came together at the Adlux Convention Centre in Kochi. The night was not just about awards; it was about celebrating the stories, performances, and the genius that went behind the films of 2025. Organized in association with Kerala Tourism, the night saw the presence of some of the biggest names in South Indian cinema.

Telugu Cinema: Pushpa 2: The Rule Dominates

In the Telugu category, Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as the biggest winner of the night:

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• Best Film: Pushpa 2: The Rule
• Best Director: Sukumar (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
• Best Actor (Male): Allu Arjun (Pushpa 2: The Rule) - marking his fifth Filmfare Best Actor award, a significant milestone in his career.
• Best Actress (Female): Nivetha Thomas (35 Chinna Katha Kaadu)
• Best Actor (Critics): Teja Sajja (Hanu-Man)
• Best Actress (Critics): Kajal Aggarwal (Satyabhama)
• Best Supporting Actor (Male): Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki 2898 AD)

The Telugu segment showcased the commercial and artistic breadth of Tollywood, with Pushpa 2 leading the charge and other films like Committee Kurrollu and Kalki 2898 AD also earning accolades.

Tamil Cinema: Amaran Shines Bright

• Best Film: Amaran
• Best Director: PS Vinothraj (Kottukaali) and Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
• Best Actor (Male): Sivakarthikeyan (Amaran)
• Best Actress (Female): Sai Pallavi (Amaran)
• Best Film (Critics): Meiyazhagan
• Critics Best Actor: Arvind Swamy (Meiyazhagan)
• Best Actress (Critics): Anna Ben (Kottukkaali)

The Tamil wins reflected a mix of mainstream appeal and critical recognition, celebrating fresh voices alongside seasoned performers.

Malayalam Cinema: Manjummel Boys and Bramayugam Take Centre Stage

Malayalam cinema stood out with powerful storytelling and performances:

• Best Film: Manjummel Boys
• Best Director: Rahul Sadasivan (Bramayugam)
• Best Actor (Male): Mammootty (Bramayugam)
• Best Actress (Female): Urvashi (Ullozhukku)
• Best Film (Critics): Kishkindha Kaandam and Ullozhukku (tie)

Notable wins were Prithviraj Sukumaran and Asif Ali winning joint Critics Best Actor, and Zarin Shihab winning Critics Best Actress.

The Malayalam segment of the awards also recognized technical achievements, music, debutants, and special awards such as lifetime achievements.

Kannada Cinema: Artistic Flourish and New Voices

Kannada films received ample recognition across competitive categories:

• Best Film: Shakhahaari
• Best Director: Prithvi Konanur (Hadinelentu)
• Best Actor (Male): Srii Murali (Bagheera)
• Best Actress (Female): Akshatha Pandavapura (Koli Esru)

Critics and supporting categories celebrated talent like Gowrishankar, Ankita Amar, Gopal Krishna Deshpande and Priya Shatamarshan.

The music and debut categories highlighted emerging artists.

The Kannada awards illustrated the diversity of stories and artistic approaches in Sandalwood.

A Night to Celebrate Cinema

Apart from the Black Lady trophies, the night was filled with performances, fashion, and moments of camaraderie between artists. The presence of hosts and stage performances further made the 70th Filmfare Awards South not only an awards ceremony but a celebration of the increasing global presence of South Indian cinema.

From blockbuster entertainers to critically acclaimed films, the awards showcased how South Indian cinema is still a mix of innovation and tradition.