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The 72nd National Film Awards have honoured the finest achievements in Indian cinema, celebrating outstanding performances, remarkable storytelling and technical excellence across multiple languages. Organised by the Government of India, these awards remain the highest recognition for artistic excellence in Indian filmmaking.
This year’s ceremony witnessed several memorable moments. Article 370 emerged as the biggest winner by taking home the prestigious Best Feature Film award along with multiple honours. Kartik Aaryan received his first-ever National Award for his inspiring performance in Chandu Champion, while Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour for Bramayugam. Actress Yami Gautam also achieved a career milestone by winning her maiden National Film Award for her powerful role in Article 370.
Apart from the major acting honours, films such as Amaran, Kalki 2898 AD, Captain Miller, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Bhakshak, Maharaja, Mithya, Kill, Pushpa 2: The Rule, and Srikanth also earned recognition across various categories.
The awards once again showcased the incredible diversity of Indian cinema, recognising exceptional contributions from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and other regional film industries. From acting and direction to cinematography, music, editing and visual effects, the 72nd National Film Awards highlighted the creative excellence that continues to shape Indian filmmaking.
Complete Winners List – Feature Film Awards
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 |
| Best Actor | Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) & Mammootty (Bramayugam) |
| Best Actress | Yami Gautam (Article 370) |
| Best Director | Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sanjay Mishra (Bhakshak) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Ropashree Varkady (Mithya) & Sachana Namidass (Maharaja) |
| Best Child Artist | Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb & Gitashree Chakraborty (Onko Ki Kothin) |
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Randeep Hooda – Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Hindi Feature Film | Srikanth |
| Best Film Promoting National, Social & Environmental Values | Captain Miller |
| Best Screenplay | Amaran |
| Best Dialogues | Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
| Best Music Direction (Songs) | Shashwat Sachdev – Article 370 |
| Best Music Direction (Background Score) | Sam C.S. – Maharaja |
| Best Lyrics | Manoj Muntashir |
| Best Playback Singer (Male) | Javed Ali |
| Best Playback Singer (Female) | Shreya Ghoshal |
| Best Cinematography | Bramayugam |
| Best Editing | Amaran |
| Best Production Design | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Costume Design | Bramayugam |
| Best Makeup | Bramayugam |
| Best Audiography | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Visual Effects | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Action Direction | Kill |
| Best Choreography | Pushpa 2: The Rule |
Major Highlights of the 72nd National Film Awards 2026
The 72nd National Film Awards reflected the growing strength of Indian cinema across languages and genres. The biggest winner of the evening was undoubtedly Article 370, which secured the coveted Best Feature Film award while also earning recognition for Best Actress and Best Music Direction (Songs). The film’s compelling narrative and strong performances made it one of the most critically acclaimed productions of the year.
One of the ceremony’s standout moments came when Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty jointly received the Best Actor award. Kartik’s transformation into Paralympic champion Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion marked a turning point in his career, while Mammootty’s performance in the psychological horror drama Bramayugam once again demonstrated why he remains one of India’s most respected actors.
Yami Gautam celebrated a landmark achievement by winning her first National Award for Article 370. Her performance received praise for its intensity, emotional depth and commanding screen presence, making it one of the year’s most talked-about roles.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy earned the Best Director award for Amaran, recognising his exceptional storytelling and direction. Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD dominated the technical categories, winning awards for Production Design, Audiography and Visual Effects, highlighting the film’s impressive production scale and visual innovation.
Bramayugam also enjoyed an exceptional evening by winning multiple technical honours, including Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup, in addition to Mammootty’s Best Actor award. Similarly, Amaran received recognition for its screenplay and editing, while Captain Miller was honoured for promoting national, social and environmental values through cinema.
The 72nd National Film Awards once again proved that Indian cinema continues to evolve through powerful storytelling, exceptional performances and world-class technical craftsmanship. The winners represent not only commercial success but also artistic excellence, reinforcing the significance of the National Film Awards as the country’s most prestigious recognition in filmmaking.
Article 370 Becomes the Biggest Winner of the Night
Among all the films recognised at the 72nd National Film Awards, Article 370 emerged as the biggest success story by winning multiple honours. The political drama not only secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award but also earned Best Actress for Yami Gautam and Best Music Direction (Songs) for Shashwat Sachdev.
Directed with a strong focus on contemporary political events, Article 370 impressed the jury with its engaging screenplay, impactful performances, and realistic storytelling. The film successfully balanced entertainment with an important national subject, making it one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Its multiple victories at the National Film Awards further cement its position as one of the finest Indian films of 2024.
For Yami Gautam, the award marks a defining moment in her acting career. Over the years, she has transitioned from commercial entertainers to performance-driven cinema, and her role in Article 370 showcased her ability to carry a film with confidence and emotional depth.
Kartik Aaryan Wins His First National Film Award
One of the most emotional moments of the awards ceremony came when Kartik Aaryan was announced as the joint winner of the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in Chandu Champion.
The film is based on the inspiring life of Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, and Kartik underwent months of rigorous physical training to prepare for the role. His remarkable transformation, dedication to the character, and emotionally powerful performance received praise from critics and audiences alike.
Winning the National Film Award is a significant milestone in Kartik’s career. After establishing himself as one of Bollywood’s most successful young stars, this honour recognises his growth as a versatile performer capable of taking on challenging and meaningful roles.
Mammootty Continues His Legendary Legacy
Sharing the Best Actor award with Kartik Aaryan is Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty, who won for his unforgettable performance in Bramayugam.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Mammootty has consistently delivered memorable performances across multiple genres. His portrayal in Bramayugam once again demonstrated his exceptional ability to immerse himself completely in complex characters.
The psychological horror film became one of the biggest critical successes of the year and also earned several technical honours, making it one of the most awarded films at this year’s National Film Awards.
For Malayalam cinema, Mammootty’s victory is yet another reminder of the industry’s continued excellence in storytelling and filmmaking.
Rajkumar Periasamy Wins Best Director for Amaran
The Best Director award was presented to Rajkumar Periasamy for his exceptional work in Amaran.
The film received widespread appreciation for its emotional storytelling, engaging screenplay, and technically polished execution. Under Periasamy’s direction, Amaran successfully balanced action, emotion and patriotism, making it one of the standout films of the year.
Apart from Best Director, Amaran also won awards for Best Screenplay and Best Editing, reflecting the film’s strong narrative structure and seamless storytelling.
Kalki 2898 AD Dominates the Technical Categories
While Article 370 dominated the major awards, Kalki 2898 AD emerged as the biggest winner in the technical categories.
The futuristic sci-fi blockbuster received honours for:
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
- Best Production Design
- Best Audiography
- Best Visual Effects
These awards recognise the film’s ambitious vision, cutting-edge technology, breathtaking production design and world-class visual effects.
Kalki 2898 AD set new benchmarks for Indian science fiction cinema and proved that Indian filmmakers are now capable of producing spectacles that can compete with international productions.
Bramayugam Impresses with Technical Excellence
Apart from Mammootty’s Best Actor victory, Bramayugam enjoyed an outstanding evening by winning several technical awards.
The film received honours for:
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
- Best Makeup
The haunting black-and-white visuals, period costumes and remarkable prosthetic makeup played a crucial role in creating the film’s mysterious atmosphere.
These awards acknowledge the immense effort put in by the technicians who helped bring the film’s unique cinematic vision to life.
Captain Miller Recognised for Social Impact
Tamil film Captain Miller received the Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values award.
The recognition highlights the film’s meaningful message and its ability to address important social themes while maintaining commercial appeal.
National Film Awards have always encouraged films that inspire audiences and contribute positively to society, and Captain Miller perfectly fits that tradition.
Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Earns Multiple Honours
Another notable winner was Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, directed by Randeep Hooda.
The biographical drama received recognition in two important categories:
- Best Debut Film of a Director
- Best Dialogues
The awards acknowledge Randeep Hooda’s successful directorial debut as well as the film’s impactful writing, which effectively portrayed the life and ideology of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The recognition is expected to encourage more historical and biographical films in Indian cinema.
Regional Cinema Continues to Raise the Bar
One of the biggest takeaways from the 72nd National Film Awards was the continued dominance of regional cinema. Over the past decade, Indian cinema has witnessed a remarkable transformation, with audiences embracing films beyond language barriers. This year’s winners clearly reflected that change, as Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films secured several prestigious honours alongside Hindi cinema.
Malayalam cinema once again proved why it is regarded as one of the finest film industries in India. Bramayugam emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners with awards for Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup. The film was praised for its atmospheric storytelling, haunting visuals, and exceptional performances.
Tamil cinema also enjoyed a memorable evening. Amaran won Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing, while Captain Miller received the award for Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values. These recognitions underline Tamil cinema’s ability to combine commercial appeal with meaningful storytelling.
Telugu cinema continued its impressive run with Kalki 2898 AD, which dominated the technical categories. The futuristic epic showcased the growing capability of Indian filmmakers to produce visually spectacular films that match international standards.
The awards demonstrated that quality storytelling is no longer restricted to any one language. Instead, filmmakers across India are creating cinema that resonates with audiences nationwide.
Technical Excellence Takes Centre Stage
While acting and direction often receive the most attention, the National Film Awards also celebrate the technicians whose work shapes the cinematic experience.
This year, Kalki 2898 AD emerged as the biggest winner among the technical categories. The film’s futuristic world, massive sets, advanced CGI, and immersive sound design earned it awards for Best Production Design, Best Audiography, and Best Visual Effects.
These honours highlight the rapid advancement of Indian filmmaking technology. Over the last few years, Indian cinema has increasingly invested in high-quality visual effects, virtual production, and innovative sound design, allowing filmmakers to tell larger-than-life stories with global appeal.
Similarly, Bramayugam showcased how cinematography, costumes, and makeup can elevate storytelling. The film’s monochrome visuals created a haunting atmosphere that became one of its defining features, while the period costumes and detailed makeup transformed the actors into believable characters.
The recognition of these technical departments reminds audiences that filmmaking is a collaborative art, where every technician plays a crucial role in bringing a director’s vision to life.
Music That Left a Lasting Impact
Music has always been an integral part of Indian cinema, and the 72nd National Film Awards recognised some of the year’s finest musical achievements.
Shashwat Sachdev received the Best Music Direction (Songs) award for Article 370. His compositions complemented the film’s intense narrative while enhancing its emotional impact.
The Best Music Direction (Background Score) award went to Sam C.S. for Maharaja. His background score added suspense, emotion, and dramatic intensity throughout the film, demonstrating how instrumental music can become a character in itself.
Manoj Muntashir won the Best Lyrics award for his meaningful songwriting, while Javed Ali and Shreya Ghoshal were honoured as the Best Male and Best Female Playback Singers, respectively.
These awards recognise the immense contribution of musicians, lyricists, and singers who continue to enrich Indian cinema with unforgettable melodies.
Emerging Talent Receives National Recognition
The National Film Awards have always encouraged new talent alongside established names, and this year’s winners reflected that tradition.
Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Known primarily as an accomplished actor, Hooda impressed the jury with his confident directorial debut, proving his versatility behind the camera as well.
The Best Child Artist award was shared by Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, and Gitashree Chakraborty for Onko Ki Kothin. Their natural performances added emotional depth to the film and demonstrated the bright future of young talent in Indian cinema.
Recognising emerging filmmakers and young actors ensures that Indian cinema continues to evolve with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling.
Why National Film Awards Matter
Unlike commercial award ceremonies, the National Film Awards are judged by independent panels of filmmakers, writers, critics, and technicians appointed by the Government of India.
The selection process focuses on artistic merit rather than box-office success. As a result, films that may not have broken commercial records often receive recognition for their storytelling, performances, and technical brilliance.
Winning a National Film Award enhances the credibility of filmmakers and artists, opens new creative opportunities, and preserves their contribution to Indian cinema for future generations.
For many actors and directors, receiving a National Award is considered the highest honour of their careers.
Memorable Moments from the Ceremony
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony delivered several unforgettable moments that celebrated the spirit of Indian cinema.
The announcement of Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty as joint Best Actor winners received widespread applause, representing two generations of actors being recognised together.
Yami Gautam’s emotional victory speech reflected years of hard work and perseverance, making it one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.
The success of Article 370 reaffirmed that audiences continue to appreciate films with strong narratives and socially relevant themes.
Meanwhile, the multiple victories of Kalki 2898 AD highlighted the remarkable progress Indian cinema has made in visual effects and large-scale filmmaking.
The ceremony also celebrated technicians, musicians, writers, and young artists whose contributions often remain behind the scenes but are essential to filmmaking.
Overall, the awards showcased the incredible diversity, creativity, and excellence that define Indian cinema today.
Interesting Facts About the 72nd National Film Awards 2026
The 72nd National Film Awards were a perfect blend of established legends, rising stars, and groundbreaking films. One of the most significant moments of the ceremony was Kartik Aaryan’s first National Film Award, marking a major turning point in his career. After years of delivering commercially successful films, the actor earned critical acclaim for his transformative performance in Chandu Champion.
Veteran actor Mammootty once again proved why he is regarded as one of India’s greatest performers. His award-winning performance in Bramayugam added another prestigious honour to an already remarkable career spanning more than four decades.
For actress Yami Gautam, the ceremony marked the biggest achievement of her career. Winning the National Award for Article 370 established her among the finest performers in contemporary Indian cinema.
Another major highlight was the success of Article 370, which emerged as the biggest winner of the evening by securing multiple honours, including the prestigious Best Feature Film award.
Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD showcased the technological growth of Indian cinema by dominating the technical categories, while Amaran and Bramayugam proved that compelling storytelling and outstanding performances continue to be the backbone of great filmmaking.
Winners at a Glance
| Film | Awards Won |
|---|---|
| Article 370 | Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Music Direction (Songs) |
| Amaran | Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing |
| Bramayugam | Best Actor (Mammootty), Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup |
| Kalki 2898 AD | Best Popular Film, Best Production Design, Best Audiography, Best Visual Effects |
| Swatantrya Veer Savarkar | Best Debut Film of a Director, Best Dialogues |
| Captain Miller | Best Film Promoting National, Social & Environmental Values |
| Chandu Champion | Best Actor (Kartik Aaryan) |
| Bhakshak | Best Supporting Actor |
| Maharaja | Best Supporting Actress (Sachana Namidass), Best Background Score |
| Mithya | Best Supporting Actress (Ropashree Varkady) |
| Srikanth | Best Hindi Feature Film |
| Kill | Best Action Direction |
| Pushpa 2: The Rule | Best Choreography |
Why These Awards Matter
The National Film Awards are widely regarded as the highest recognition in Indian cinema because they celebrate artistic excellence rather than commercial success. Every year, films from different languages compete on an equal platform, allowing regional cinema to receive nationwide recognition.
Unlike many entertainment award shows, the National Film Awards evaluate films based on acting, direction, screenplay, cinematography, music, editing, sound design, production values, and overall cinematic contribution.
Winning a National Award often becomes a career-defining achievement for actors, directors, musicians, writers, and technicians. It also encourages filmmakers to focus on meaningful storytelling, innovation, and quality rather than only box-office numbers.
The 72nd National Film Awards once again highlighted the diversity of Indian cinema, proving that exceptional stories can emerge from every corner of the country.
FAQs
Who won the Best Feature Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Article 370 won the prestigious Best Feature Film award, making it one of the biggest winners of the ceremony.
Who shared the Best Actor award?
The Best Actor honour was jointly awarded to Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion and Mammootty for Bramayugam.
Who won the Best Actress award?
Yami Gautam received the Best Actress National Film Award for her powerful performance in Article 370.
Which film won the most awards?
Among the major award categories listed, Article 370, Bramayugam, Amaran, and Kalki 2898 AD emerged as the biggest winners, each receiving multiple honours.
Which film won Best Hindi Feature Film?
Srikanth won the Best Hindi Feature Film award.
Who won Best Director?
Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Director award for directing Amaran.
Which film won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment?
Kalki 2898 AD won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Which film received the Best Visual Effects award?
Kalki 2898 AD received the Best Visual Effects award for its outstanding technical achievements.
Who won Best Playback Singer awards?
Javed Ali won the Best Male Playback Singer award, while Shreya Ghoshal received the Best Female Playback Singer honour.
Why are the National Film Awards important?
The National Film Awards are India’s highest government-backed film honours. They recognise excellence in acting, filmmaking, writing, music, cinematography, editing, and technical craftsmanship, celebrating the best contributions to Indian cinema each year.
Conclusion
The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 once again celebrated the extraordinary talent, creativity, and diversity that define Indian cinema. From emotionally powerful performances to technically groundbreaking productions, this year’s winners reflected the industry’s continued growth and evolution.
The ceremony belonged to Article 370, which emerged as the biggest winner with multiple honours, including Best Feature Film. Kartik Aaryan reached a major milestone by winning his first National Award, while Mammootty added another remarkable achievement to his legendary career. Yami Gautam’s Best Actress victory further established her as one of India’s finest performers.
At the same time, films like Amaran, Bramayugam, Kalki 2898 AD, Captain Miller, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Srikanth, Kill, and Pushpa 2: The Rule showcased the incredible range of talent across Indian cinema.
The 72nd National Film Awards not only honoured outstanding performances and technical brilliance but also reinforced the importance of meaningful storytelling. As Indian cinema continues to earn global recognition, these awards remain the ultimate benchmark of excellence, inspiring filmmakers, actors, writers, musicians, and technicians to push creative boundaries and deliver unforgettable cinematic experiences.
