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The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 have honoured some of the most notable films, actors and filmmakers from Indian cinema. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at a ceremony held at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026.
The awards recognise achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024. This edition also marked a significant change in the location of the ceremony, as the government hosted the National Film Awards outside New Delhi at Ekta Nagar.
72nd National Film Awards 2026: Key Highlights
The 72nd National Film Awards recognised films across several Indian languages and cinematic categories.
Here are the major winners:
- Best Feature Film: Article 370
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion
- Best Actress in a Leading Role: Yami Gautam for Article 370
- Best Direction: Rajkumar Periasamy for Amaran
- Best Debut Film of a Director: Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki 2898 AD
- Best Non-Feature Film: Bhangaar
- Best Documentary: Ram-Nami
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024: Anant Nag
Anant Nag Receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 from President Droupadi Murmu at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony.
The Government of India recognised Anant Nag for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. He has worked in more than 300 films across six Indian languages during a career spanning more than five decades.
The government also noted his work in cinema and television, including his association with Malgudi Days. It honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2025.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award remains the highest honour in Indian cinema. The government instituted the award in 1969 to recognise outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
Article 370 Wins Best Feature Film
Article 370 won the Best Feature Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards.
The film also brought the Best Actress in a Leading Role award to Yami Gautam.
President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the film during her address at the ceremony and noted that it presents an account of challenges related to India’s unity and their solutions.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan Share Best Actor Award
The 72nd National Film Awards gave the Best Actor in a Leading Role honour to two actors.
Mammootty won for his performance in Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan received the award for Chandu Champion.
The joint recognition added another major highlight to this year’s National Film Awards.
Yami Gautam Wins Best Actress
Yami Gautam won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370.
Her performance in the film earned one of the top acting honours at the 72nd National Film Awards.
Rajkumar Periasamy Wins Best Direction for Amaran
The Best Direction award went to Rajkumar Periasamy for the Tamil film Amaran.
The award recognised his direction in the film, which also received recognition in other categories.
Randeep Hooda Wins Best Debut Director Award
Actor and filmmaker Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
The recognition marked an important achievement in his directorial debut.
Kalki 2898 AD Wins Best Popular Film Award
Kalki 2898 AD won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
The film, directed by Nag Ashwin, received recognition among the major popular cinema awards at the 72nd National Film Awards.
Bhangaar Named Best Non-Feature Film
Bhangaar won the Best Non-Feature Film award.
The film also reflects the National Film Awards’ wider focus on different forms of Indian filmmaking beyond mainstream feature cinema.
Ram-Nami Wins Best Documentary
Ram-Nami received the Best Documentary award at the 72nd National Film Awards.
The award highlights the National Film Awards’ recognition of documentary filmmaking alongside feature and non-feature cinema.
72nd National Film Awards Highlight India’s Language Diversity
The 72nd National Film Awards recognised films from a wide range of Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Santhali, Tulu and Garhwali.
The government specifically highlighted the recognition of Garhwali and Tulu cinema at the national level.
Dholi received the Best Garhwali Film award, while IMBU won the Best Tulu Film award.
The Santhali film Angen, directed by Ravi Raj Murmu, received the Best Debut Film of a Director award in the non-feature section. The government noted that this marked the first time a Santhali film received recognition in the Non-Feature Film section.
Why Was the 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony Held in Gujarat?
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony took place at Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, in Gujarat.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to take future National Film Awards ceremonies to different parts of the country instead of holding them only in the National Capital.
The government described the move as an effort to bring the awards closer to audiences across India and reflect the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
The location also placed the ceremony near the Statue of Unity, giving the event a strong national and cultural setting.
72nd National Film Awards 2026: Important Facts
The 72nd National Film Awards honour Indian films certified during 2024. The government announced the winners on July 18, 2026, while President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards on September 22, 2026.
The National Film Awards began in 1954. The awards recognise creative and technical achievements across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.
The 72nd edition continued that tradition while placing a strong focus on India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
72nd National Film Awards 2026: Full Major Winners at a Glance
| Award | Winner |
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Mammootty – Bramayugam |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Kartik Aaryan – Chandu Champion |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Yami Gautam – Article 370 |
| Best Direction | Rajkumar Periasamy – Amaran |
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Randeep Hooda – Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Non-Feature Film | Bhangaar |
| Best Documentary | Ram-Nami |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 | Anant Nag |
| Best Garhwali Film | Dholi |
| Best Tulu Film | IMBU |
| Best Debut Film of a Director (Non-Feature) | Angen |
72nd National Film Awards 2026: Conclusion
The 72nd National Film Awards brought together major mainstream films, regional cinema, independent filmmaking and emerging cinematic voices on one national platform. The recognition of films in languages such as Santhali, Tulu and Garhwali also underlined the linguistic diversity of Indian cinema.
With Anant Nag receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Article 370 winning Best Feature Film, and Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan sharing the Best Actor honour, the 72nd National Film Awards marked another significant chapter in the recognition of Indian cinema.
The ceremony at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, also signalled the government’s plan to take future National Film Awards ceremonies to different parts of India.
