The legendary Amitabh Bachchan has added another historic milestone to his illustrious career. At the star-studded 70th Filmfare Awards South 2026, held this past Saturday in Kochi, Kerala, the veteran actor was honored with the Best Supporting Actor (Male – Telugu) award for his powerhouse performance as Ashwatthama in the global blockbuster Kalki 2898 AD.
This victory marks a significant "first" for Big B, as it is his debut Filmfare Award South trophy, further cementing his legacy as a pan-Indian icon. While the actor could not attend the ceremony in person due to his ongoing filming schedule for Kalki 2- Part 2, the "Black Lady" was accepted on his behalf amid thunderous applause from the South Indian film fraternity.
A Night of Records: Pushpa 2 and Amaran Dominate
The ceremony, hosted in the heart of Kerala, celebrated the finest cinematic achievements of 2024. While Amitabh Bachchan’s win was a major highlight, the night belonged to the heavy hitters of Telugu and Tamil cinema.
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Pushpa 2: The Rule swept the Telugu category with five major wins. Allu Arjun bagged the Best Actor trophy, while Sukumar took home Best Director.
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In the Tamil category, the biographical drama Amaran emerged as the most-awarded film of the evening, securing seven trophies, including Best Actor for Sivakarthikeyan and Best Actress for Sai Pallavi.
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Malayalam cinema saw a historic moment as superstar Mammootty won Best Actor for his role in Bramayugam, marking his 16th Filmfare win across five different decades.
Why Amitabh Bachchan’s Win Matters Now
The recognition for Amitabh Bachchan comes at a pivotal time. Having started shooting for the second installment of Kalki 2898 AD in February 2026, the industry is buzzing with anticipation. His portrayal of the immortal warrior Ashwatthama was credited with bridging the gap between North and South audiences, helping the film cross the ₹1,000 crore mark globally.
70th Filmfare Awards South: Key Winners at a Glance
| Category | Winner (Telugu) | Winner (Tamil) |
| Best Film | Pushpa 2: The Rule | Amaran |
| Best Actor | Allu Arjun (Pushpa 2) | Sivakarthikeyan (Amaran) |
| Best Actress | Nivetha Thomas (35) | Sai Pallavi (Amaran) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki 2898 AD) | Karthi (Meiyazhagan) |
| Best Director | Sukumar (Pushpa 2) | Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) |
The Legacy of the "Black Lady"
The Filmfare Awards South have come a long way since their inception in 1964. Originally held in Mumbai, the awards shifted to Southern hubs like Chennai and Hyderabad in 1976 to better honor the distinct cultures of the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada industries. Today, the 46.5 cm bronze trophy remains the most coveted prize in Indian regional cinema.
As the industry looks forward to 2026, Bachchan’s win serves as a reminder that excellence knows no linguistic borders. With Kalki 2 on the horizon, fans are eager to see if the "Angry Young Man" will return to the South stage next year.
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