Filmfare Awards South 2026 Winners: Pushpa 2, Amaran Win Big, Amitabh Bachchan Takes First South Award

The 70th Filmfare Awards South 2026 took place on February 21, 2026, at the Adlux Convention Centre in Kochi, Kerala, celebrating the finest cinematic achievements from Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam film industries. The glamorous event saw major victories for Pushpa 2: The Rule, which dominated Telugu cinema, and Amaran, which swept Tamil categories with a record-breaking seven awards.

Filmfare Awards South 2026 Event Details

In a historic moment, veteran Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan clinched his first-ever South Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Kalki 2898 AD. Though unable to attend the ceremony due to his ongoing Kalki 2 Part 2 filming schedule, Bachchan’s achievement marks a significant milestone in his pan-Indian acting career.

Major Category Winners Across Languages

Pushpa 2: The Rule’s Dominance

Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule emerged as the biggest winner in Telugu cinema, claiming five major awards including Best Film and Best Director for Sukumar. Allu Arjun’s powerhouse performance earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) trophy, celebrating his fiery portrayal as the protagonist Pushpa.

The film’s cultural and commercial impact on Telugu cinema resonated strongly with awards voters. Beyond acting and directing categories, Pushpa 2 also won in music and choreography, reinforcing its massive influence on 2026 Telugu cinema. The film grossed over 1,800 crore rupees worldwide, ranking among Telugu cinema’s biggest commercial successes.

Additional Telugu winners included Nivetha Thomas winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, and Kajal Aggarwal winning Best Actress (Critics’) for Satyabhama. Devi Sri Prasad received the Best Music Album award for Pushpa 2.

Amaran’s Record-Breaking Tamil Sweep

Amaran dominated the Tamil category with a record-breaking seven awards, cementing its position as the most-awarded film of the evening. Sivakarthikeyan won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for his compelling performance, while Sai Pallavi clinched Best Actress in a Leading Role (Female) for her memorable contribution to the film.

The biographical drama’s technical excellence shone through, with C.H. Sai winning Best Cinematography. Amaran’s sweep demonstrated the film’s comprehensive excellence across acting, direction, cinematography, and technical categories, earning respect across South Indian cinema’s creative community.

Amitabh Bachchan’s Historic South Filmfare Win

Amitabh Bachchan’s Best Actor in a Supporting Role award for Kalki 2898 AD marks a historic achievement—his first-ever South Filmfare Award trophy. Though the veteran actor couldn’t attend personally due to filming Kalki 2 Part 2, his award was accepted on his behalf amid thunderous applause from the South Indian film fraternity.

The recognition validates Bachchan’s pan-Indian appeal and his ability to deliver compelling performances across language cinemas. His portrayal as Ashwatthama in Kalki 2898 AD resonated strongly with audiences and industry voters alike, proving that cinematic excellence transcends linguistic boundaries.

Other Notable Winners

Sandeep Saroj and Nayan Sarika won Best Debut Male and Female respectively. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Aadujeevitham claimed maximum awards in Malayalam, while Shakhahaari won Best Film in Kannada. Director Suresh Mari received Best Debut Director for J Baby alongside Tamizharasan Pachamuthu’s tie for Lubber Pandhu.

Music compositions received recognition through various categories, celebrating the vibrant talent within South Indian cinema’s music industry. Playback singers, music directors, and lyricists were honored for their contributions to 2026’s finest films.

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