Priyamani Reacts To Yami Gautam's National Award Win For Article 370: 'Saw Her Talent In Person' | Exclusive

The winners of the 72nd National Awards were declared today at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. Article 370 emerged as one of the biggest winners, taking home Best Feature Film and securing the Best Actress honour for Yami Gautam Dhar. The film is directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, who co-directed it along with Aditya Dhar.

Speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha, Priya Mani Raj, who plays PMO Joint Secretary Rajeshwari Swaminathan in Article 370, shares her excitement and says, “I’m very fortunate to be a part of such an important film. I’m so glad it won multiple National Awards including Best Film.” She’s equally elated that her co-star Yami won the Best Actress Award.

72nd National Film Awards Winners List

“I’ve seen Yami’s talent and

hard work in person. I’m extremely happy for her and the entire team,” she says. For the unversed, in the film, Yami essays the role of intelligence officer Zooni Haksar. Her character drives the film’s security operation-narrative as political and administrative developments unfold in parallel in the national capital.

Article 370 was producer by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The cast also included actors like Arun Govil, Kiran Karmarkar, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Raj Arjun, Skand Thakur and Divya Seth Shah. Made on a budget of Rs 20 crore, the film earned Rs 110 crore at the box office and emerged as a hit.

Article 370 however led some sections of the internet to describe it as propaganda. Speaking to us earlier, the director had said, “It’s long run in theatres validates the point that the narrative of it being a propaganda film – as it was being referred to before release – was completely wrong… I never thought about making a statement. The film made a statement on its own.”

Coming back to the 72nd National Awards, Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth was named Best Hindi Feature Film, while Kartik Aaryan received his first National Award, sharing the Best Actor trophy with Malayalam superstar Mammootty. Kartik was recognised for Chandu Champion, while Mammootty won for Bramayugam.

Filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy was honoured with the Best Director award for Amaran. Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD won the award for Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Randeep Hooda took home the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.