KOCHI, KERALA, February 12, 2026 — The stage is set for the most prestigious night in South Indian cinema. The 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism has officially announced its nominations for 2024 releases, and the Telugu film industry (Tollywood) is leading the charge with a powerhouse lineup of blockbusters.
Scheduled to take place on February 21, 2026, in the scenic city of Kochi, the event will celebrate the finest talents across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.
Tollywood Takes Center Stage: Major Nominations
The 2024 cinematic year for Tollywood was defined by global scale, innovative storytelling, and massive box-office success. From the rugged landscapes of Pushpa 2 to the futuristic world of Kalki 2898 AD, the nominations reflect a diverse year for Telugu fans.
The Frontrunners
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Pushpa 2: The Rule: Dominating the list, Sukumar’s sequel has secured nods for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor (Allu Arjun).
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Kalki 2898 AD: Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi epic is a heavy contender for Best Film and Best Director, with a notable Best Supporting Actor nod for Amitabh Bachchan.
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Hanu-Man: The underdog superhero hit continues its winning streak with nominations for Teja Sajja and director Prasanth Varma.
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Lucky Baskhar: This period thriller has earned critical acclaim, landing Dulquer Salmaan a spot in the Best Actor race.
70th Filmfare Awards South: Telugu Nominations List
| Category | Nominees |
| Best Film | Pushpa 2: The Rule, Kalki 2898 AD, Hanu-Man, Lucky Baskhar, 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu, Committee Kurrollu |
| Best Director | Sukumar (Pushpa 2), Nag Ashwin (Kalki 2898 AD), Prasanth Varma (Hanu-Man), Venky Atluri (Lucky Baskhar) |
| Best Actor (Male) | Allu Arjun, Jr NTR (Devara), Dulquer Salmaan, Nani (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram), Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Teja Sajja |
| Best Actor (Female) | Rashmika Mandanna, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Nivetha Thomas, Priyanka Mohan, Anupama Parameswaran, Ashika Ranganath |
| Best Music Album | Devi Sri Prasad (Pushpa 2), Anirudh Ravichander (Devara), G.V. Prakash Kumar (Lucky Baskhar) |
A Star-Studded Night in Kochi
In partnership with Kerala Tourism, the 70th edition marks a significant cultural milestone, bringing the entire South Indian film fraternity to Kochi. Other notable films like Devara: Part 1, Tillu Square, and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram are also vying for technical and performance-based awards, ensuring a highly competitive ceremony.
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