South Indian cinema’s biggest names came together for a glittering night at the 70th Filmfare Awards South, where powerful performances and blockbuster films were honoured across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada industries. Held in Kochi, the event blended emotional moments, energetic performances and long-standing talent being recognised on one stage.
Malayalam survival drama Aadujeevitham emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, taking home the Best Film award, while Prithviraj Sukumaran won Best Actor for his intense and transformative performance. Tamil cinema also had a strong showing, with Amaran being named Best Film. Sivakarthikeyan bagged the Best Actor trophy for his role in the film, and Sai Pallavi was awarded Best Actress for her performance that struck a chord with audiences and critics alike.
In Telugu, the blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule dominated the major categories. Allu Arjun continued his winning streak by securing the Best Actor award, while Rashmika Mandanna was honoured as Best Actress. The film’s massive popularity and cultural impact were reflected in its multiple wins.
Kannada cinema was led by Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side B, which won Best Film. Rakshit Shetty received the Best Actor award for his performance, and Rukmini Vasanth was named Best Actress, marking a significant moment for the industry.
Beyond the awards, the evening was a celebration of South Indian cinema’s growing national and global influence. The ceremony saw heartfelt acceptance speeches, tributes to technicians and artists behind the scenes, and loud cheers from fans as their favourite stars walked the red carpet.
