70th Filmfare Awards South: Allu Arjun, Mammootty win big
What's the story
The 70th edition of the Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Adlux International Convention Centre in Kochi, Kerala. The event was hosted by Vishnu Warrier, Ranjini Haridas, and RJ Mithun. The awards honored exceptional talent from four film industries: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Here's a look at the major winners across categories.
Telugu awards
Telugu winners: 'Pushpa 2' won Best Film
In the Telugu category, Pushpa 2: The Rule bagged the Best Film award. Its director, Sukumar, won Best Director. Allu Arjun was honored with the Best Actor award for the same movie. Nivetha Thomas won the Best Actor in Leading Role Female award for 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu. The Best Debut Male and Female awards went to Sandeep Saroj (Committee Kurrollu) and Nayan Sarika (Gam Gam Ganesha), respectively. Amitabh Bachchan won Best Actor in Supporting Role Male (Kalki 2898 AD).
Tamil awards
Tamil winners: 'Amaran' dominated and how!
In the Tamil film industry, Amaran was declared Best Film. Sivakarthikeyan won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) award for Amaran, and Sai Pallavi won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) award for the same film. The Best Director award was a tie between PS Vinothraj (Kottukaali) and Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran). Arvind Swamy won the Best Actor (Critics') award for Meiyazhagan, while Anna Ben took home the Best Actress (Critics') honor for Kottukaali.
Malayalam awards
Malayalam winners: Mammootty honored for 'Bramayugam'
Mammootty was honored with the Best Actor award for his role in Bramayugam at the 70th Filmfare Awards South. Urvashi took home the Best Actor in a Leading Role Female award for Ullozhukku. The Best Director award went to Rahul Sadasivan (Bramayugam). KR Gokul and Abhimanyu S Thilakan shared the Best Debut Male honor for Aadujeevitham and Marco, respectively. Methil Devika won Best Debut Female for Kadha Innuvare, while Joju George and Jithin Lal were named best debut directors.
Kannada awards
Take a look at the Kannada winners
Sri Murali was named the Best Actor in a Leading Role Male for Bhageera. Akshatha Pandvapura won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Female award for Koli Esru. The Best Director award went to Prithvi Konanur (Hadinelentu). Samarjit Lankesh and Bindu Shivaram were named the Best Debut Male and Female actors for Gowri and Kerebete, respectively. V Nagendra Prasad won Best Lyrics for Dwapara - Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi, while Arjun Janya clinched Best Music Album (Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi).