Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil lead Filmfare South nominations
What's the story
The nominations for the 70th Filmfare South Awards, honoring Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada films released in 2024, were unveiled recently. The event is a joint initiative with Kerala Tourism and will be held on February 21. Notable films such as Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule, Sivakarthikeyan's Amaran, Fahadh Faasil's Aavesham, and Sri Murali's Bagheera have made it to the list. Here's a breakdown of the nominees across categories.
Telugu cinema
'Lucky Baskhar,' 'Hanu-Man' among top nominees
For the Best Film, the nominees are 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, Committee Kurrollu, Hanu-Man, Kalki 2898 AD, Lucky Baskhar, and Pushpa 2: The Rule. Best Director nominations include Nag Ashwin (Kalki), Nanda Kishore Emani (35 Chinna Katha Kaadu), Hanu-Man's Prasanth Varma, Sukumar (Pushpa 2), Venky Atluri (Lucky Baskhar), and Yadhu Vamsi (Committee Kurrollu). Best Actor (Male) nominees are Arjun (Pushpa 2), Dulquer Salmaan (Lucky Baskhar), Jr NTR (Devara), Nani (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram), Siddhu Jonnalagadda (Tillu Square), and Teja Sajja (Hanu-Man).
Telugu cinema
Amitabh Bachchan scored a nod for 'Kalki'
For Best Actor (Female), the nominees are Anupama Parameswaran (Tillu Square), Ashika Ranganath (Naa Saami Ranga), Meenakshi Chaudhary (Lucky Baskhar), Nivetha Thomas (35 Chinna Katha Kaadu), Priyanka Mohan (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram), and Rashmika Mandanna (Pushpa 2). Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki) and Faasil (Pushpa 2) vie for male supporting actor award, with Dhananjaya (Zebra), Satya (Mathu Vadalara 2), SJ Suryah (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram), and Vinay Rai (Hanu-Man). Anjali, Faria Abdullah, Rashi Singh Nandu, Shraddha Srinath, Sharanya Pradeep, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar are the female nominees.
Tamil cinema
Arvind Swami's 'Meiyazhagan' won many nominations
In Kollywood, Amaran, Kottukkaali, Lubber Pandhu, Maharaja, Meiyazhagan, and Vaazhai are the Best Film nominees. Best Director contenders are C. Prem Kumar (Meiyazhagan), Mari Selvaraj (Vaazhai), Nithilan Saminathan (Maharaja), Pa. Ranjith (Thangalaan), Ps Vinothraj (Kottukkaali). Best male actor nominees are Arvind Swami (Meiyazhagan), Attakathi Dinesh (Lubber Pandhu), Vikram (Thangalaan), Dhanush (Captain Miller), Sivakarthikeyan (Amaran), Soori (Garudan), Vijay Sethupathi (Maharaja). Women nods: Anna Ben (Kottukkaali), Keerthy Suresh (Raghu Thatha), Sai Pallavi (Amaran), Simran (Andhagan), Sri Gouri Priya (Lover), Urvashi (J Baby).
Malayalam cinema
Malayalam films competing for Best Film award
In Mollywood, Aadujeevitham, Aattam, Aavesham, Bramayugam, Kishkindha Kaandam, Manjummel Boys are Best Film nominees. Best Director: Anand Ekarshi (Aattam), Blessy (Aadujeevitham), Chidambaram (MB), Christo Tomy (Ullozhukku), Dinjith Ayyathan (KK), Jithin Laal (Arm), Jithu Madhavan (Aavesham), Payal Kapadia (Prabhayay Ninachathellam), Rahul Sadasivan (Bramayugam). Male actors: Asif Ali (KK), Basil Joseph (Sookshmadarshini), Faasil (Aavesham), Mammootty (Bramayugam), Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham), Tovino Thomas (Arm). Female actors: Divya Prabha, Kani Kusruti (Prabhayay Ninachathellam), Mamitha Baiju (Premalu), Nazriya (Sookshmadarshini), Parvathy (Ullozhukku), Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Zarin Shihab (Aattam).
Kannada cinema
Kannada films in the spotlight
In the Kannada industry, Bagheera, Bheema, Blink, Hadinelentu, Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi, and Shakhahaari are Best Film contenders. Best Director: Duniya Vijay (Bheema), Prithvi Konanur (Hadinelentu), Rajguru B (Kerebete), Sandeep Sunkad (Shakhahaari), Srinidhi Bengaluru (Blink), Utsav Gonwar (Photo). Male actors: Vijay (Bheema), Ganesh (Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi), Rangayana Raghu (Shakhahaari), Shivarajkumar (Bhairathi Ranagal), Sri Murali (Bagheera), and Sudeep (Max). Female actors: Akshatha Pandavapura (Koli Esru), Ankitha Amar (Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali), Bindu Shivaram (Kerebete), Chaithra Achar (Blink), Roshini Prakash (Murphy), Rukmini Vasanth (Bagheera).