Townhall Times, New Delhi
Reporter: Bhavika Kalra
If there’s one thing these nominations prove, it’s that the audience (and the jury) is tired of the “same old.” The 71st Filmfare Awards—set for February 21 in Kochi—is shaping up to be a historic night.
1. The ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Domination
Let’s talk about the biggest story of the year: Kiran Rao’s “Laapataa Ladies.” It’s not just a movie; it’s a record-breaker. With a massive 24 nominations, it has officially pushed the “massy” blockbusters to the side. It’s nominated for Best Film, Best Director, and even the debut categories for its fresh cast. It’s the ultimate underdog victory.
2. The Pan-India Giants
The South is no longer “invading”—it has arrived. Kalki 2898 AD and Pushpa 2: The Rule are everywhere.
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Allu Arjun is the hot favorite for Best Actor (Telugu), while Rashmika Mandanna is eyeing the trophy for her role as Srivalli.
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Amitabh Bachchan snagged a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Ashwatthama, and honestly, if he wins, the roof is going to come down.
3. The Best Actor Brawl
This is where the fan wars are getting heated.
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Abhishek Bachchan is the “critics’ darling” for his raw, vulnerable work in “I Want to Talk”.
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He’s up against Kartik Aaryan, who went full “method” for “Chandu Champion”.
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Then you’ve got Vicky Kaushal in “Chhaava”, who many are saying delivered the performance of his career.
4. Best Actress: Content is Queen
The Best Actress list is a heavy-hitter masterclass. Alia Bhatt is in the race for “Jigra”, but she’s facing stiff competition from the raw, authentic performances in the year’s social dramas. Taapsee Pannu is also a major name being discussed for her courtroom drama “Assi”, which she’s been championing on social media to remind fans that “real stories deserve theaters.”
5. The “South” Ceremony
For the first time ever, the Filmfare South ceremony is being held in Kochi, Kerala (Feb 21). Films like “Aadujeevitham” (The Goat Life) and “Amaran” are leading the pack there, proving that 2024-25 was a phenomenal year for storytelling across all languages.
The “Snub” Talk
Social media is already trending with “Who was robbed?” A couple of ₹1,000 crore blockbusters that relied solely on star power got totally ignored in the acting and directing categories. It seems the “Black Lady” is looking for depth this year, not just box office receipts.
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