72nd National Film Awards 2026: When, Where And How To Watch The Winners Announcement

The countdown is finally over. After months of discussions, predictions and fan debates, one of Indian cinema’s biggest honours is set to reveal its winners today. From blockbuster hits to critically acclaimed performances, all eyes are now on the 72nd National Film Awards.

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards, recognising films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2024, will be announced on July 3. The awards celebrate excellence across Indian cinema and honour the year’s finest films and performances.

Film lovers can watch the announcement live later this evening. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will stream the results on its official YouTube and X channels, allowing viewers across the country to

follow the ceremony in real time.

This year’s selection process was overseen by an 11-member jury headed by filmmaker Jayaraj, who had previously served on the National Film Awards jury in 2012.

Although the National Film Awards do not announce nominations beforehand, several films from different industries have emerged as strong contenders based on their critical and commercial success.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has not officially announced a fixed time for the 72nd National Film Awards winners’ announcement yet. However, based on previous years, the press conference is expected to begin between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM IST.

Malayalam cinema is expected to have a strong presence once again, with films like Bramayugam, Manjummel Boys and Kishkindha Kaandam generating significant buzz.

The race is equally competitive across other languages. Among the Hindi films attracting attention are Article 370, Srikanth and Chandu Champion. Tamil cinema is represented by Maharaja, Meiyazhagan and Amaran, while Telugu films Kalki 2898 AD, Lucky Baskhar and Devara: Part 1 are also being widely discussed.

The acting categories are expected to be closely watched, with names such as Mammootty, Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi and Sai Pallavi among those widely tipped to be in contention for the top honours.