~ Nivetha Thomas, Sai Pallavi, Akshatha Pandavapura, And Urvashi Bagged The Awards For Best Actor Female Across The Four Industries ~
OR
~ PS Vinothraj, Rajkumar Periasamy, Sukumar, Prithvi Konanur, Rahul Sadasivan Were Recognised As The Best Director In Tamil, Telugu, Kannada And Malayalam Cinema ~
National, 21st February 2026: Filmfare hosted the 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism in Kochi for the very first time, marking a landmark moment for the Black Lady. The milestone edition celebrated the finest talent from Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu cinema for the year 2024.
In the Malayalam film industry, Mammootty delivered a powerhouse win as Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Bramayugam. “Bramayugam was made with a very small and dedicated team, and that makes this moment even more special,” he said with a smile. “This is my 16th Filmfare Award, and it feels wonderful that the Black Lady still loves me at 74. But the other nominees are no less deserving, I wish them all the very best,” said Mammootty. He then went on to share the Filmfare Award trophy with his fellow nominees Asif Ali and Basil Joseph.
Aadujeevitham emerged as the top winner with five awards, including Best Actor (Critics’), Best Lyrics, Best Playback Singer Male, Best Debut Male, and Best Cinematography, marking a sweeping triumph across major categories. It was followed by Kishkindha Kaandam, which secured four awards, including Best Film (Critics’) and Best Actor in a Supporting Actor (Male) for Vijayraghavan. The Best Actor (Critics’) category saw a tie, with both Asif Ali for Kishkindha Kaandam and Prithviraj for Aadujeevitham sharing the honour, making it a standout moment of the evening. Prithviraj expressed his admiration for Allu Arjun with warmth and humour, saying, “I was just telling Allu Arjun, or as we fondly call him, ‘Mallu Arjun’, that you all should visit Kochi more often.” He added, “All thanks to Filmfare for bringing the Filmfare Awards to God’s Own Country,” celebrating the spirit of unity across industries.
Abhimanyu S. Thilakan was honoured as Best Debut (Male) for Marco, while Methil Devika won Best Debut (Female) for Kadha Ithuvare, expressing her joy, saying, “It feels great to win this award when Filmfare has come to Kerala for the first time.”
In a deeply emotional moment, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Late Sreenivasan, received by his wife and son, who shared a heartfelt note remembering his legacy. The audience stood up in a special moment waving their mobile flashlights in honour of the late cinema stalwart’s memory. Veteran lyricist and filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting on his extraordinary journey of writing over 3000 Malayalam songs, scripting more than 80 films and directing 30 movies.
In the Telugu film industry, Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as the top winner with five awards, while Devara: Part 1, Kalki 2898 AD, Committee Kurrollu, and Guntur Kaaram secured two awards each, marking a powerful year for Telugu cinema. In the major categories, Pushpa 2: The Rule won Best Film, with Allu Arjun taking home Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) Award.
Accepting the trophy, Allu Arjun delighted fans by recreating Pushpa 2’s iconic dialogue and signature pose on stage. Expressing his gratitude, he said, “This is my hat-trick win and my seventh Filmfare Award. I truly look forward to achieving much more and continuing to make everyone proud.” He further added, “Every actor who wins Best Actor does so because a director first envisioned it. Cinema is a collective energy, and this honour belongs to the entire team. I’m deeply grateful to my director for his faith in me. And to my wife, your unwavering support makes everything possible for me. Thank you, darling.” Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) Award for Kalki 2898 AD, and Kajal Aggarwal received the Best Actress (Critics’) award for Satyabhama.
In Tamil film cinema, Amaran emerged as the undisputed top winner with eight awards, while Meiyazhagan followed with four, making it a landmark year for the industry. In the major categories, Amaran clinched Best Film, with Sivakarthikeyan taking home Best Actor in a Leading Role Male trophy and Sai Pallavi winning Best Actor in a Leading Role Female award, cementing the film’s dominance on the big night.
Dedicating her award to the people behind the story, Sai Pallavi said, “I would like to dedicate this award to the family who allowed us to tell their story. Amaran has only given me love and appreciation,” reflecting the emotional resonance the film created both on and off screen.
Karthi was honoured with Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) award, while Parvathy Thiruvothu won Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female), sharing honours with Swasika for Lubber Pandhu. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Parvathy invited her parents on stage and handed over the black lady to her parents and said, “I am standing here because of my parents, they are the reason I never give up.” Adding to the evening’s highlights, Vikram was bestowed with the Outstanding Performance Award for his powerful role in Thangalaan, rounding off a memorable celebration for Tamil cinema.
Kannada cinema saw Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi emerge as the biggest winner of the night with three awards, Best Music Album, Best Lyrics, and Best Playback Singer Male, marking a strong sweep in the music categories. It was followed by Blink, which secured two awards, including Best Film Critics and Best Actor in a Supporting Role Male for Gopal Krishna Deshpande. Among the major wins, Shakhahaari clinched the prestigious Best Film Award, while Prithvi Konanur won Best Director for Hadinelentu.
Furthermore, the evening unfolded as a grand celebration of South Indian cinema, seamlessly blending legacy with contemporary excellence. Hosted with charm, wit and effortless chemistry by Vishnu Warrier, RJ Mithun and Ranjini Haridas, the awards night unfolded in style. The evening commenced on a culturally rich note with a captivating Kathakali performance by a dance group, immersing the audience in the timeless artistic heritage of Kerala. Furthermore, the stage sparkled with electrifying performances that kept the energy soaring through the night. Sanya Malhotra set the tone ablaze with her dynamic moves to Viral Vayyari and Kurchi Madathapetti, while Pranitha Subhash lit up the stage with a high-voltage performance on Illuminati. Nidhhi Agerwal had the audience grooving to Aachaley, Aparna Balamurali brought alive the spirit of Kerala with a vibrant performance to a traditional Kerala number, and Trisha Shetty dazzled the crowd with her act on Yama Yama, making it a spectacular celebration of music and cinema.
The red carpet shimmered with star power as Sai Pallavi, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nandini Gupta, Shilpa Rao, Priya Mani, Ambika Nair, Ritika Nayar, Kajal Aggarwal, Nivetha Thomas, Sri Gouri Priya, veteran actor Suhasini Maniratnam, GV Prakash, Lenaa, Ankita Amar and many others made striking appearances, adding glamour and elegance to the grand celebration of South cinema.
The 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism was held on February 21 at Adlux International Convention Centre, Kochi.
Mr. Biju K, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Kerala, shared, “The Filmfare Awards South have played an integral role in celebrating the artistic and technical achievements of South Indian cinema. Bringing the milestone 70th edition to Kochi is a matter of great pride for Kerala. Our state offers filmmakers an ecosystem that blends natural beauty, skilled talent, and world-class infrastructure. We believe hosting such a prestigious platform will further strengthen Kerala’s positioning as a preferred destination for film production while fostering cultural collaboration and creative growth.”
Mr. Rohit Gopakumar, Director WWM & Times Strategic Solutions Ltd., CEO Digital – Times Television Network, shared, “We are proud to bring the 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards South to Kerala for the very first time, completing our circuit in a state that has been an integral part of South India’s cinematic journey. The four South Indian film industries Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, each carry a distinct legacy, yet together they represent a formidable creative force shaping Indian cinema today. This has been an exceptional year, with legends and icons delivering powerful, path-breaking films across languages, making the honours especially competitive. We are delighted to celebrate this collective excellence in Kochi and thank Kerala Tourism and Kamar Film Factory for their invaluable support.”
Kamar D, Founder of Kamar Film Factory, shared, “At Kamar Film Factory, our journey has always been rooted in a genuine love for South Indian cinema. We believe in supporting stories that resonate deeply with audiences while pushing creative boundaries. For us, celebrating cinema is just as important as creating it because recognition strengthens the ecosystem that sustains this industry. Partnering with Filmfare for the historic 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards South was a meaningful continuation of that vision. It is an honour to stand alongside a legacy platform that continues to spotlight the extraordinary talent shaping our cinematic landscape.”
Adding to it, Mr. Jitesh Pillaai, Editor-in-Chief, Filmfare, shared, “Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada industries continue to redefine Indian storytelling through originality, emotion, and cinematic craft. It has been deeply rewarding to recognise the artists and creators whose work defined the year. Many congratulations to the winners and nominees.”
Partners:
- Destination Partner: Kerala Tourism
- In Partnership with – Kamar Film Factory
- Co-powered by – TTK Prestige and Sensodent DSP, Feel the relief
- In Association With:
- DNA – Designs Never Again Gold & Diamonds,
- Dazzler Cosmetics
- Aachi Masala &
- Arun Ice-creams
- Styling Partner: Double Bull
- Realty Partner: Eminent Group
- Outdoor Partners: Jagdish Outdoor Media & Tagtalk
- Special Partners
- Let’s Fly Together Productions
- Jackfruit Media
- Lap Up Experiential
- NMK Cinemas
- Pankaj Soni
- Media Connect
- Forever Entertainment
- K Manju Cinemas
- Food Partner – A-la-carte
- Radio Partner – Mirchi
- Audio partner – Gaana
- Ambient Media Partner – Khushi Advertising
- Trophy Partner – The Award Gallery
- Education Partner – Bennett university
- Scripted By – NV Ajith
- Acts Choreographed By Satish Krishnan
- Technical Direction & Stage Management: On Cue Productions
Please find below the full winners list: 70th Filmfare Awards South 2025 with Kerala Tourism
| MALAYALAM |
| BEST FILM |
| MANJUMMEL BOYS |
| BEST DIRECTOR |
| RAHUL SADASIVAN (BRAMAYUGAM) |
| BEST FILM (CRITICS’) |
| ULLOZHUKKU (CHRISTO TOMY) |
| KISHKINDHA KAANDAM (DINJITH AYYATHAN) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (MALE) |
| MAMMOOTTY (BRAMAYUGAM) |
| BEST ACTOR (CRITICS’) |
| PRITHVIRAJ (AADUJEEVITHAM) |
| ASIF ALI (KISHKINDHA KAANDAM) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| URVASHI (ULLOZHUKKU) |
| BEST ACTRESS (CRITICS’) |
| ZARIN SHIHAB (AATTAM) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE) |
| VIJAYARAGHAVAN (KISHKINDHA KAANDAM) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| LIJOMOL JOSE (HER) |
| BEST MUSIC ALBUM |
| SUSHIN SYAM (AAVESHAM) |
| BEST LYRICS |
| RAFEEQ AHMMED (PERIYONE- AADUJEEVITHAM) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE) |
| JITHIN RAJ (PERIYONE- AADUJEEVITHAM) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE) |
| VAIKOM VIJAYALAKSHMI (ANGU VAANA KONILU- ARM) |
| BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR |
| JOJU GEORGE (PANI) |
| JITHIN LAAL (ARM) |
| BEST DEBUT MALE |
| K R GOKUL (AADUJEEVITHAM ) |
| ABHIMANYU S THILAKAN (MARCO) |
| BEST DEBUT FEMALE |
| METHIL DEVIKA (KADHA ITHUVARE ) |
| BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY |
| SUNIL K S (AADUJEEVITHAM) |
| BREAKTHROUGH IN FILMMAKING |
| ANAND EKARSHI (AATTAM) |
| LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD |
| SREENIVASAN |
| SREEKUMARAN THAMPI |
| CINE ICON AWARD |
| BHAVANA |
| KANNADA |
| BEST FILM |
| SHAKHAHAARI |
| BEST DIRECTOR |
| PRITHVI KONANUR (HADINELENTU) |
| BEST FILM (CRITICS’) |
| BLINK (SRINIDHI BENGALURU) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (MALE) |
| SRIIMURALI (BAGHEERA) |
| BEST ACTOR (CRITICS’) |
| GOWRISHANKAR SRG (KEREBETE) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| AKSHATHA PANDAVAPURA (KOLI ESRU) |
| BEST ACTRESS (CRITICS’) |
| ANKITA AMAR (IBBANI TABBIDA ILEYALI) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE) |
| GOPAL KRISHNA DESHPANDE (BLINK) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| PRIYA SHATAMARSHAN (BHEEMA) |
| BEST MUSIC ALBUM |
| ARJUN JANYA (KRISHNAM PRANAYA SAKHI) |
| BEST LYRICS |
| V. NAGENDRA PRASAD (DWAPARA- KRISHNAM PRANAYA SAKHI) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE) |
| JASKARAN SINGH (DWAPARA- KRISHNAM PRANAYA SAKHI) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE) |
| SHRUTHI PRAHLADA (HITHALAKA KARIBYADA- KARATAKA DAMANAKA) |
| BEST DEBUT MALE |
| SAMARJIT LANKESH (GOWRI) |
| BEST DEBUT FEMALE |
| BINDU SHIVARAM (KEREBETE) |
| TELUGU |
| BEST FILM |
| PUSHPA 2: THE RULE |
| BEST DIRECTOR |
| SUKUMAR (PUSHPA 2: THE RULE) |
| BEST FILM (CRITICS’) |
| LUCKY BASKHAR (VENKY ATLURI) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (MALE) |
| ALLU ARJUN (PUSHPA 2: THE RULE) |
| BEST ACTOR (CRITICS’) |
| TEJA SAJJA (HANU-MAN) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| NIVETHA THOMAS (35 CHINNA KATHA KAADU) |
| BEST ACTRESS (CRITICS’) |
| KAJAL AGGARWAL (SATYABHAMA) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE) |
| AMITABH BACHCHAN (KALKI 2898 AD) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| ANJALI (GANGS OF GODAVARI) |
| BEST MUSIC ALBUM |
| DEVI SRI PRASAD (PUSHPA 2: THE RULE) |
| BEST LYRICS |
| RAMAJOGAYYA SASTRY (CHUTTAMALLE- DEVARA: PART 1) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE) |
| SRI KRISHNA (KURCHI MADATHAPETTI- GUNTUR KAARAM) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE) |
| SHILPA RAO (CHUTTAMALLE- DEVARA: PART 1) |
| BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR |
| YADHU VAMSEE (COMMITTEE KURROLLU) |
| BEST DEBUT MALE |
| SANDEEP SAROJ (COMMITTEE KURROLLU) |
| BEST DEBUT FEMALE |
| NAYAN SARIKA (GAM GAM GANESHA) |
| BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN |
| PRITHVIRAJ (AADUJEEVITHAM) |
| RAMAKRISHNA & MONIKA (PUSHPA 2: THE RULE) |
| BEST CHOREOGRAPHY |
| SEKHAR MASTER (KURCHI MADATHAPETTI-GUNTUR KAARAM) |
| TAMIL |
| BEST FILM |
| AMARAN |
| BEST DIRECTOR |
| PS VINOTHRAJ (KOTTUKKAALI) |
| RAJKUMAR PERIASAMY (AMARAN) |
| BEST FILM (CRITICS’) |
| MEIYAZHAGAN (C. PREM KUMAR) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (MALE) |
| SIVAKARTHIKEYAN (AMARAN) |
| BEST ACTOR (CRITICS’) |
| ARVIND SWAMI (MEIYAZHAGAN) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| SAI PALLAVI (AMARAN) |
| BEST ACTRESS (CRITICS’) |
| ANNA BEN (KOTTUKKAALI) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE) |
| KARTHI (MEIYAZHAGAN) |
| BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) |
| PARVATHY THIRUVOTHU (THANGALAAN) |
| SWASIKA (LUBBER PANDHU) |
| BEST MUSIC ALBUM |
| G V PRAKASH KUMAR (AMARAN) |
| BEST LYRICS |
| UMA DEVI (YAARO IVAN YAARO- MEIYAZHAGAN) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE) |
| HARICHARAN (HEY MINNALE- AMARAN) |
| BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE) |
| SHWETA MOHAN (HEY MINNALE- AMARAN) |
| BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR |
| SURESH MARI (J BABY) |
| TAMIZHARASAN PACHAMUTHU (LUBBER PANDHU) |
| BEST DEBUT MALE |
| HRIDHU HAROON (THUGS) |
| BEST DEBUT FEMALE |
| SRI GOURI PRIYA (LOVER) |
| BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY |
| CH SAI (AMARAN) |
| OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE |
| (TAMIL) |
| VIKRAM (THANGALAAN) |
