Filmfare announced the nominations for 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism, honouring outstanding talent and cinematic excellence across Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu cinema for films released in 2024. For the first time, the awards will be held in Kochi on 21st February 2026 at Adlux International Convention Centre.
For Malayalam, Aadujeevitham leads the nominations in 8 categories. In the Best Film category, Aattam, Aavesham, Bramayugam, Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitham, Premalu, Ullozhukku, Kishkindha Kaandam, and Prabhayay Ninachathellam (All We Imagine As Light) are nominated. In Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male), nominees include Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Prithviraj, Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, and Basil Joseph, highlighting a power-packed year for male performances. The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) category features Mamitha Baiju, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Urvashi, Nazriya Nazim, Divya Prabha, Kani Kusruti, and Zarin Shihab, showcasing a wide range of compelling female-led performances.
For Kannada, Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi leads the nominations, followed closely by Bheema and Blink, emerging as strong contenders across key categories. In the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) category, stalwarts including Duniya Vijay, Shivarajkumar, Sudeep earned nominations. The Best Film category reflected the industry’s diversity with titles such as Bagheera, Bheema, Blink, Hadinelentu, Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi and Shakhahaari in contention. Meanwhile, the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) nominations featured Akshatha Pandavapura, Ankita Amar, Bindu Shivaram, Chaithra Achar, Roshini Prakash and Rukmini Vasanth, highlighting compelling performances by leading women in Kannada cinema.
For Tamil, Amaran emerged as the frontrunner with 10 nominations, followed by Lubber Pandhu and Meiyazhagan. The Best Actor in a Leading Role category features nominations for Arvind Swami, Attakathi Dinesh, Vikram, Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, Soori, and Vijay Sethupathi for their performances. The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) category features nominations for Sai Pallavi, Anna Ben, Keerthy Suresh, Simran, Sri Gouri Priya, and Urvashi for their performances.
For Telugu, Pushpa 2: The Rule, Lucky Baskhar, and Hanu-Man emerged as the most nominated titles this year, with 7 nominations each, making a strong impact across major categories. In the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) category, Allu Arjun, Dulquer Salmaan, JR NTR, Nani, Siddu Jonnalagadda, and Teja Sajja earned nominations for their standout performances. The Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) category saw strong contenders including Rashmika Mandanna, Nivetha Thomas, Anupama Parameswaran, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Priyanka Mohan, and Ashika Ranganath, showcasing standout performances by leading women in Telugu cinema. The Best Film category featured a diverse line-up with Pushpa 2: The Rule, Lucky Baskhar, Hanu-Man, Kalki 2898 AD, 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, and Committee Kurrollu. Adding to the excitement, Amitabh Bachchan also received a nomination in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) category for Kalki 2898 AD, marking a significant crossover moment for Telugu cinema.
Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Public Works Department & Tourism, Government of Kerala, said,
“Kerala is honoured to host the landmark 70th Filmfare Awards South, a celebration that recognises excellence across South Indian cinema. Our state has long been a favourite canvas for filmmakers, offering breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and a deep-rooted connection to storytelling. Hosting Filmfare reflects Kerala’s enduring relationship with cinema and reinforces our vision of promoting the state as a vibrant hub for film tourism and creative exchange.”
Mr. Rohit Gopakumar, Director WWM & Times Strategic Solutions Ltd., CEO Digital – Times Television Network, said,
“It brings me immense pleasure to organize our marquee Filmfare Awards South for the first time in the state of Kerala. Kerala has been a massive contributor towards the identity of South India becoming a powerhouse for content, creativity and talent from South India. It is but natural to be elated in having this event at the nerve centre of Malayalam film industry, Kochi. South Indian cinema has led a powerful reinvention of Indian storytelling across the globe. The audiences have appreciated the emotional depth, diversity, and stories the four dynamic industries have brought to life. Each industry has its own legacy, yet together they represent a powerful collective voice that continues to shape Indian cinema today. This year, Kochi becomes more than a venue, it becomes a celebration of unity, legacy and the future of cinema. We thank our partners, Kerala Tourism and Kamar Film Factory for making this possible.”
Kamar D, Founder of Kamar Film Factory said,
“At Kamar Film Factory, cinema has always been at the heart of our journey, and partnering with Filmfare for the 70th Filmfare Awards South is a natural alignment of shared values. Filmfare’s legacy of honouring cinematic excellence mirrors our commitment to supporting meaningful storytelling and creative ambition. We are proud to be associated with a platform that celebrates the artists, technicians, and stories that define South Indian cinema, and we look forward to being part of this historic edition.”
Mr. Jitesh Pillaai, Editor-in-Chief, Filmfare, added,
“As we mark our landmark edition in Kochi, we look forward to the grandest celebration of South Indian cinema. Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema the four powerful pillars of South Indian cinema continue to inspire audiences across the world with their originality and emotional depth. I extend my warm congratulations to all the nominees whose exceptional work has resonated so deeply with audiences.”