The 69th Filmfare Awards South happened on 03rd August 2024 at Hyderabad, Telangana. This prestigious event was sponsored by Sobha Limited, a multinational real estate company headquartered in Dubai. FilmFare Awards South recognizes excellence in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. The Telugu film industry had a strong showing this year, with Dasara leading the pack by winning in six categories. Other notable Telugu winners include Baby with five awards and Balagam with four, highlighting the diversity and quality of Telugu cinema in 2023.
69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024 Telugu Winners List
| Award | Awardee (s) | Film (s) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | Hanshitha Reddy and Harshitha Reddy (Producers) | Balagam |
| Best Film (Critics) | Sai Rajesh Neelam (Director) | Baby |
| Best Director | Venu Yeldandi | Balagam |
| Best Debut Director | Shouryuv, Srikanth Odela | Hi Nanna, Dasara |
| Best Actor (Male) | Nani | Dasara |
| Best Actor (Female) | Keerthy Suresh | Dasara |
| Best Actor (Male) Critics | Naveen Polishetty, Prakash Raj | Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, Ranga Maarthaanda |
| Best Actor (Female) Critics | Vaishnavi Chaitanya | Baby |
| Best Supporting Actor (Male) | Brahmanandam, Ravi Teja | Ranga Maarthaanda, Waltair Veerayya |
| Best Supporting Actor (Female) | Rupa Lakshmi | Balagam |
| Best Debut Actor (Male) | Sangeeth Sobhan | Mad |
| Best Music Director | Vijay Bulganin | Baby |
| Best Lyricist | Anantha Sriram | O Rendu Prema Meghaalial from Baby |
| Best Playback Singer (Male) | Sreerama Chandra | O Rendu Prema Meghaalial from Baby |
| Best Playback Singer (Female) | Shweta Mohan | Mastaaru Mastaary from Sir |
| Best Cinematographer | Sathyan Sooryan | Dasara |
| Best Choreography | Prem Rakshith | Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan from Dasara |
| Best Production Design | Kolla Avinash | Dasara |
Top-Winning Telugu Films at Filmfare Awards South 2024
Dasara (6 Awards)
Dasara, the biggest winner of the night, took home six awards. This gritty revenge drama, set in a mining village in southern India, impressed audiences and critics alike with its:
- Rich, visually striking cinematography
- Intense, dramatic storytelling
- Well-crafted characters
- Impressive production design, editing, and costumes
The film’s narrative revolves around three central characters and the consequences following the death of one of them. Dasara stands out as one of the best-produced films in recent Telugu cinema.
Awards won: Best debut director, Best actor (male), Best actor (female), Best cinematography, Best Choreographer, Best production design
Baby (5 Awards)
Baby, a compelling triangle love story, secured five awards. The film garnered praise for its:
- Memorable music
- Evolving storyline
- Intriguing character development
Awards won: Best actor (female) critics, Best music director, Best lyricist, Best playback singer (male), Best film (critics)
Balagam (3 Awards)
Balagam, movie set in a small southern Indian village, earned four awards. This emotionally rich film explores:
- The aftermath of an elderly family patriarch’s death
- Traditional funeral rites and their impact on the community
- The process of grief and how different individuals handle loss
While tackling heavy themes, Balagam balances its emotional depth with lighthearted moments, attracting a wide audience. The film’s strength lies in its screenplay and storytelling.
Awards won: Best film, Best director, Best supporting actor (female)
Notable Highlights
- Debut Directors: Two directors shared the Best Debut Director award. Interestingly, both winning films starred Nani as the lead actor.
- Nani’s Dominant Presence: Nani not only appeared in both debut director winners films but also starred in Dasara, the night’s most awarded film.
- New Talents Shine: The second and third most awarded films, Baby and Balagam, were also helmed by debut directors Sai Rajesh Neelam and Venu Yaldandi, respectively.
About Filmfare Awards South
The Filmfare Awards South is an annual celebration of cinematic excellence in South Indian cinema. Now in its 69th year, the event continues to be one of the most prestigious platforms recognizing outstanding achievements in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films. The 2024 ceremony honored films released in 2023, showcasing the vibrant and diverse talent of the South Indian film industry.