72nd National Film Awards 2026 Winners: Article 370, Yami Gautam, Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty Triumph
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards, celebrating the finest achievements in Indian cinema for films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
An 11-member jury headed by acclaimed filmmaker Jayaraj evaluated 161 films across 24 Indian languages, recognising excellence in feature films, non-feature films, technical categories, and film writing.
'Article 370' Emerges as the Biggest Winner
Political thriller Article 370 emerged as the biggest winner of the ceremony, taking home the prestigious Best Feature Film award. Its lead star Yami Gautam was named Best Actress in a Leading Role, while composer Shashwat Sachdev won Best Music Direction (Songs), sharing the honour with G.V. Prakash Kumar for Amaran.
Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty Share Best Actor Award
The Best Actor award was jointly presented to Kartik Aaryan for his inspiring performance in Chandu Champion and Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty for Bramayugam.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy won the Best Director award for Amaran, while actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director honour for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy won the Best Director award for Amaran, while actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director honour for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Major Winners Across Categories
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu was named Best Children's Film.
In supporting roles, Sanjay Mishra won Best Supporting Actor for Bhakshak. The Best Supporting Actress award was shared by Sachana Namidass (Maharaja) and Ropashree Varkady (Mithya).
In supporting roles, Sanjay Mishra won Best Supporting Actor for Bhakshak. The Best Supporting Actress award was shared by Sachana Namidass (Maharaja) and Ropashree Varkady (Mithya).
The Best Child Artist honour was jointly awarded to Arundev Pothula, Riddhiman Banerjee, Topomoy Deb, Gitashree Chakraborty, and Athish S. Shetty for their performances in 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu, Onko Ki Kothin, and Mithya.ALSO READ: Bobby Deol aged backwards in YRF' multistarrer 'Alpha'
Regional Cinema Receives Strong Recognition
The National Awards celebrated the diversity of Indian cinema by honouring films across multiple languages.
Best Hindi Film: Srikanth
Best Hindi Film: Srikanth
Best Tamil Film: Raayan
Best Telugu Film: Committee Kurrollu
Best Malayalam Film: Feminichi Fathima
Best Kannada Film: Mithya
Best Marathi Film: Mukkam Post Bombilwadi
Best Bengali Film: Chalchitra Ekhon
Best Gujarati Film: Maaran
Best Odia Film: Lahari
Best Assamese Film: Juiphool
Best Manipuri Film: Sunita
Best Konkani Film: Mog Asum
Best Tulu Film: Imbu
Best Garhwali Film: Dholi
Screenplay, Music and Technical Awards
Bandireddi Sukumar won Best Screenplay for Pushpa 2: The Rule, sharing the award with Yogesh Deshpande for Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke. Venky Atluri received Best Dialogue Writer for Lucky Baskhar.
G.V. Prakash Kumar also won Best Background Score for Amaran, while Manoj Muntashir received Best Lyrics for the song Jaane Do from Maidaan.
Playback honours went to Abhay Jodhpurkar (Best Male Playback Singer) for Navsachi Gauri Mazi from Gharat Ganpati and Vaikom Vijayalakshmi (Best Female Playback Singer) for Angu Vaana Konilu from ARM.
Playback honours went to Abhay Jodhpurkar (Best Male Playback Singer) for Navsachi Gauri Mazi from Gharat Ganpati and Vaikom Vijayalakshmi (Best Female Playback Singer) for Angu Vaana Konilu from ARM.
Among the technical awards:
Best Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal (Bramayugam)
Best Editing: R. Kalaivannan (Amaran)
Best Sound Design: Manas Choudhury (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
Best Production Design: Nitin Zihani Choudhary (Kalki 2898 AD)
Best Costume Design: Deepali Noor & Sheetal Sharma (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
Best Make-up Artist: P. Ravi Kumar (Committee Kurrollu)
Best Action Direction: Ani Arasu (Maharaja)
Best Choreography: Vijay Ganguly (Stree 2)
Non-Feature Films and Special Honours
In the non-feature film category, Aanand L. Rai won Best Direction for Statue of Unity for Ekta Ka Prateek, while Piplantri: A Tale of Eco Feminism received recognition for promoting social and environmental values.
Other winners included:
Best Animation Film: Touched as Water
Best Short Film: Hamsafar
Best Sound Design: T.S. Hari Hara Sudhan (Blue)
Best Script: Faraz Ali (Obur (Clouds))
In the writing category, Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty's Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva Matthu Rajakeeya won Best Book on Cinema, while Sanjeev Shrivastava was honoured as Best Film Critic.
In the writing category, Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty's Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva Matthu Rajakeeya won Best Book on Cinema, while Sanjeev Shrivastava was honoured as Best Film Critic.
The jury also presented Special Recognition Awards to Dhanush for his acclaimed performance in Captain Miller and Suren G for his exceptional sound mixing in Meiyazhagan.
