New Delhi: The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony has begun at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will present the
honours to a total of 92 winners across various categories. In a historic move, the National Film Awards are taking place outside New Delhi for the first time against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity.
The award ceremony will honour the best of Indian cinema for 2024. Several well-known names from the Indian film industry were among the big winners at the prestigious National Film Awards. Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour for Chandu Champion and Bramayugam, respectively. Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam took home the Best Actress award for her performance in the film.
Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth was recognised as the Best Hindi Film. Randeep Hooda, meanwhile, won the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD also received the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award.
The Best Director honour went to Rajkumar Periasamy. Veteran actor Anant Nag was also among the most prominent names recognised this year and will receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Check LIVE updates from the ceremony here:
- Anant Nag receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was honoured with the 72nd National Award.
- Article 370 wins Best Feature Film
Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s Article 370 won the Best Feature Film Award at the National Film Awards 2026. The film was honoured with the Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.
- Yami Gautam honoured
Actress Yami Gautam was honoured with the Best Actress Award for Article 370. She received Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
- Kartik Aaryan wins Best Actor
Actor Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor Award for his leading role in biographical drama, Chandu Champion.
- Mammootty wins Best Actor for Bramayugam
Mammootty was honoured with the Best Actor in a Leading role for his performance in Bramayugam.
- Sanjay Mishra wins for Bhakshak
Actor Sanjay Mishra won the National Film Award for Bhakshak. He took the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
- Rajkumar Periasamy wins Best Director for Amaran
Director Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Direction for the film Amaran.
- Chinna Katha Kaadu wins Best Children’s Film
Chinna Katha Kaadu won the Best Children’s Film at the 72nd National Film Awards.
- Captain Miller wins Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values
Dhanush starrer Captain Miller won Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values Award.
- Randeep Hooda wins Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
Actor Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Film of a Director for the Hindi film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. He received Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.
- Kalki 2898 AD wins Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Nag Ashwini’s Kalki 2898AD won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 72nd National Awards 2026.
- R Kalaivannan wins for Amaran
R Kalaivannan won the National Film Award for Best Editing for the Tamil film, Amaran.
- Manas Choudhury wins for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
Sound designer Manas Choudhary won the National Film Award for Best Sound for the film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
- Sukumar wins for Pushpa 2 screenplay
Sukumar honoured with the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Pushpa: The Rule.
- Yogesh Deshpande wins for Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke
Screenplay Yogesh Deshpande won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Marathi film Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke.
- Venky Atluri wins for Lucky Baskhar
Dialogue writer Venky Atluri won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Lucky Bhaskhar.
- Shehnad Jalal felicitated for Bramayugam
Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for the Malayalam film Bramayugam.
- Abhay Jodhpurkar felicitated for Navasachi Gauri Mazi
Playback singer Abhay Jodhpurkar was honoured with National Film Award for Best Male Playback singer for the song ‘Navasachi Gauri Mazi’ from the Marathi film Gharat Ganpati.
- Vaikom Vijayalakshmi wins for Angu Vaana Konilu
Playback singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song ‘Angu Vaana Konilu’ from the Malayalam film ARM.
- Child artists Athish S Shetty, Arundev Pothula and Onko Ki Kothin honoured
Athish S Shetty (Mithya), Arundev Pothula (Chinna Katha Kaadu), and Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb and Gitashree Chakraborty (Onko Ki Kothin) were honoured with the National Award for the Best Child Artist.
- Sachana Namidass and Ropashree Varkady win Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Sachana Namidass and Ropashree Varkady won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Maharaja and Ropashree Varkady, respectively.
- Nitin Zihani Choudhary win for Kalki 2898 AD
Production designer Nitin Zihani Choudhary won the National Film Award for Best Production Design for the Telugu film, Kalki 2898 AD.
- Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma win for Pushpa 2
Costume designers Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma won the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for Telugu film, Pushpa: The Rule.
- P Ravi Kumar won for Committee Kurrollu
Make-up artist P Ravi Kumar won the National Film Award for Best Make-up for the Telugu movie Committee Kurrollu.
- Shashwat Sachdev felicitated for Article 370
Music director Shashwat Sachdev won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Songs) for the Hindi film Article 370. He also received Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
- G V Prakash Kumar wins National Award for Amaran
Music director GV Prakash won the National Award for Best Music Direction (Background Music) for the Tamil film Amaran.
- Manoj Muntashir felicitated for Maidaan song Jaane Do
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir honoured with the National Film Award for the Best Lyrics for Jaane Do.
- Vijay Ganguly felicitated for Stree 2 song Aaj Ki Raat
Choreographer Vijay Ganguly was honoured with the Best Choreography for the song Aaj Ki Raat from the Hindi film Stree 2.
- Anl Arasu felicitated for Maharaja
Stunt choreographer Anl Arasu was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Action Direction for the film Maharaja.
- Juiphool wins Best Assamese Film
Assamese film Juiphool received the Best Assamese Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards 2026.
- Chalchitra Ekhon wins Best Bengali Film
Bengali film Chalchitra Ekhon won the Best Bengali Film award at the 72nd National Film Award.
- Hamsafar wins Best Short Film
In the short film category, Marathi film Hamsafar won Best Short Film. The film is directed by Abhijeet Arvind Dalvi.
- Bharatbala Ganapathy wins Best Documentary for Ram-Nami
Bharatbala Ganapathy has won the Best Documentary for the Hindi film Ram Navami at the 72nd National Film Awards 2026.
- Main Nida wins Best Arts/ Culture Film Award
Hindi film, Main Nida, won the Best Arts / Culture Film award. It is directed by Atul Pandey.
- Ravi Raj Murmu wins Best Debut Film of a Director for Angen
Ravi Raj Murmu won Best Debut Film of a Director for the Santhali film, Angen.
- Sumira Roy wins Best Non-Feature Film for Bhangar
Sumira Roy received the Best Non-Feature Film Award for Bangar.
- Dhanush receives special mention for Captain Miller
Actor Dhanush received a Special Mention for his performance in the Tamil film, Captain Miller.
- Meiyazhagan gets Certificate for sound mix
Meiyazhagan has received a Cerificate of Recognition for its sound mix. Film Sound Mix Engineer Suren G was honoured for his work in the Tamil film.
- Imbu wins Best Tulu Film
Imbu, directed by Shivadhwaj Shetty received the Best Tulu Film.
- Dholi wins Best Garhwali Film
Dholi, directed Dinesh P Bhonsle, won the Best Garhwali Film at the National Film Awards 2026.
- Committee Kurrollu wins Best Telugu Film
Committee Kurrollu has won the Best Telugu Film. It is directed by Yadhu Vamsee.
- Raayan wins Best Tamil Film
Raayan has received the award for the Best Tamil Film at the 72nd National Film Awards.
- Lahari wins Best Odia Film
Lahari won the Best Odia Film at the 72nd National Film Awards. The film also received the Rajat Kamal.
- Mukkam Post Bombilwadi wins Best Marathi Film
Mukkam Post Bombilwadi wins Best Marathi Film has won the Best Marathi Film at the National Film Awards 2026.
- Sunita wins Best Manipuri Film
Sunita has won the Best Manipuri Film at the 72nd National Film Awards 2026.
- Feminichi Fathima wins Best Malayalam Film
Feminichi Fathima has won the Best Malayalam Film at the 72nd National Film Awards. The film also received the Rajat Kamal.
- Mog Asum wins Best Konkani Film
Mog Asum won the Best Konkani Film at the National Film Awards 2026.
- Mithya wins Best Kannada Film
Mithya won the Best Kannada Film at the National Film Awards 2026.
- Srikanth wins Best Hindi Film
Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth won the Best Hindi Film at the 72nd National Film Awards.
- Maaran wins Best Gujarati Film
Gujarati film Maaran won the Best Gujarati Film at the 72nd National Film Awards.
- Kakori wins Best Biographical, Historical Reconstruction and Compilation Film
Hindi film Kakori, which is produced by KSR Brothers and Minti Mishra, won the Best Biographical / Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film award. It is directed by Kamlesh K Mishra.
- Manvir Jasrotia receives Best Editing award from President Murmu
At the National Film Awards 2026, Manvir Jasrotia won the Best Editing award for the Hindi film NDA.
- Aanand L Rai wins Best Direction for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek
Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has won the Best Direction award for the film, Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek.
- Edmond Ranson wins Best Cinematography for Life in Loom
Edmond Ranson was honoured with the Best Cinematography award for Life in Loom. The film was made across English, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese.
- Writers from the Indian film industry honoured
The National Film Award 2026 began with honouring the writers across film industries. The ceremony began with the national anthem.
- President Droupadi Murmu arrives
The award ceremony began shortly after President Droupadi Murmu arrived on the stage.
- Aditya Dhar says, ‘Hopefully we come next year’
At the 72nd National Film Awards, Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar said, “We are here for Article 370. Hopefully we come next year also.”
- Kartik Aaryan on National Award win
Actor Kartik Aaryan, who won Best Actor at the 72nd National Film Awards, said, “I have received my first National Award for Chandu Champion. I am truly, incredibly happy—my entire family is overjoyed, and our whole team is thrilled. Reflecting on the journey we began with Chandu Champion and the way this film inspires so many people—especially regarding the Paralympians—I can only express my gratitude to the jury and the entire audience across India for choosing us.”
- Sanjay Mishra to receive Supporting Actor award
Actor Sanjay Mishra will be honoured with the Best Supporting Actor honour for his film Bhakshak.
- Randeep Hooda on National Award win
Speaking at the ceremony, Randeep Hooda said, “This is my first National Award. I am very grateful to be a part of these awards…” He won the Best Debut film for his film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
- Arun Dev to receive Best Child Artist
Actor Arun Dev will be honoured with the Best Child Artist at the National Awards 2026 for his film 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu.
- Sheetal Sharma to receive Best Costume for Pushpa 2
Sheetal Sharma will be honoured with the Best Costume Award for Pushpa at the 72nd National Film Awards.
- Kartik Aaryan spotted with actor Dhanush
Kartik Aaryan was seen sitting beside the actor Dhanush at the National Film Awards 2026.
- Yami Gautam on her National Award win
Actress Yami Gautam, who won the Best Actress Award for Article 370, was accompanied by her husband, Aditya Dhar. Talking about the honour, she said that she is still soaking in the feeling. She said, “It feels great. This is the biggest validation for any artist that you can receive. I think is the highest honour that’s presented to you by your country. I don’t think I can ever be able to express how I’m feeling right now. I’m still trying to soak in.”
Yami Gautam at the National Film Awards 2026
- Manoj Muntashir says AR Rahman predicted National Award film
Manoj Muntashir, who won the Best Lyrics award for Jaane Do from Maidaan. said that AR Rahman heard the first two lines and predicted the National Award win.
- National Film Awards 2026: Mammootty on receiving Best Actor
Legendary Malayalam actor Mammootty thanked the jury and said, “It’s an inspiration to every performer to get recognised by the nation and luckily I’m very fortunate to have my fourth National Award for the Best Actor. It’s been a long journey with a lot of people behind me or supporting me, my directors, my writers, my co-actors and my producer and the people who were appreciating me. I’m very happy that I could entertain them for such a long time and hope that I can do it more, more and more times. I can only assure you that I’ll be working very hard to be there.”
- 72nd National Film Awards: Rajkumar Periasamy wins Best Director for Amaran
Director Rajkumar Periasamy will be honoured with the Best Director award for his film Amaran at the National Film Awards. The film stars Sai Pallavi and Sivakarthikeyan.
- Anant Nag to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 72nd National Film Award ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat.
- Yami Gautam wins Best Actress for Article 370
Yami Gautam, who won Best Actress for Article 370, took to X to pen a heartfelt note and wrote, “Every journey has a moment that reminds you why you never gave up. Today is that moment for me. Receiving the National Award for Article 370 is an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
She added, “For fourteen years, I have simply tried to stay true to my craft, work with honesty and let my performances speak for themselves. This honour feels like the culmination of a journey filled with hope, perseverance, resilience and an unwavering love for cinema. It is a dream I have carried in my heart for years and today, I receive it with immense gratitude and humility. Article 370 was never just another film for me. It was a story I deeply believed in. The fact that it was our home production makes this recognition even more emotional and personal. Every challenge, every conversation and every day on set was driven by one shared purpose, to tell this story with honesty and conviction.”
