“I Have Imagined Holding This Award Countless Times,” Says An Emotional Allu Arjun As He Wins Best Actor Award for Pushpa 2 at the 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism
City Air News
Feb 23, 2026 10:11
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The 70th Filmfare Awards South with Kerala Tourism marked a historic first as Kochi hosted the prestigious celebration on 21st February 2026 at the Adlux International Convention Centre. Bringing together the biggest names from Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, the milestone edition celebrated excellence across industries with grandeur and fanfare. Among the standout moments of the night, Allu Arjun won the award for Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) – Telugu for his stellar performance in Pushpa 2: The Rule. The win marked the seventh Filmfare award for the superstar, further cementing his stature as one of Indian cinema’s most bankable actors.
An emotional Allu Arjun accepted the Black Lady with visible gratitude, reflecting on the journey behind the moment. “I have imagined holding this award countless times with my eyes closed, and today I am happy to hold it with my eyes open,” he said, acknowledging the hundreds of technicians and artists who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Emphasising the power of collaboration, he added, “Every actor who wins Best Actor does so because a director dreamed it first. It is always collective energy.” He also thanked his co-star Rashmika Mandanna and dedicated the honour to his fans, calling their belief and blessings the driving force behind his success.
The evening reached a fever pitch when Allu Arjun ended his speech in true Pushpa style. He recreated his character’s iconic hand gesture and delivered his trademark line, expressing how the special moment would feel incomplete without it. The crowd erupted instantly, turning a proud win into a moment fans will remember for years.
