National Film Awards 2026 Major Winners: Yami Gautam wins Best Actress for Article 370; Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty share the Best Actor award

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi on Saturday announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards, honoring the best achievements in Indian cinema across feature films, non-fiction films and writing about cinema.

The awards are given to films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2024.One of the biggest highlights of this year’s awards was Yami Gautam winning the Best Actress award for her powerful performance in Article 370. The film also emerged as the biggest winner at the ceremony by winning the prestigious Best Feature Film award.The Best Actor award was shared by Kartik Aaryan for his transformative performance in Chandu Champion, and Mammootty for his critically acclaimed role in the Malayalam horror drama Bramayugam.

Article 370 emerges as the big winner

Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambali, won the Best Feature Film award with Yami Gautam receiving the Best Actress award. The political thriller received widespread appreciation upon its release for its storytelling and performances.

Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty share the Best Actor award

The jury honored two performances in the Best Actor category. Kartik Aaryan was credited as Chandu’s hero, with critics praising his physical transformation and commitment to portraying Paralympian Murlikant Petkar.

Veteran star Mammootty received the honor for his electrifying performance in Rahul Sadasivan’s Bramayugam, a role that received widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Other major winners

Director Rajkumar Periyasamy won the Best Director award for the Tamil blockbuster ‘Amaran’, while Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi epic ‘Kalki: 2898 AD’ bagged the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award.Actor-director Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Film award by a director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, marking a milestone in his directorial journey.In the Indian cinema category, Srikanth, directed by Tusshar Hiranandani and starring Rajkummar Rao, Jyotika and Alaya F, won the Best Indian Feature Film award.The Best Film Critic (Indian) award went to Sanjeev Shrivastava.

A year of acclaimed performances

The 2024 eligibility year has seen several Indian films receiving critical acclaim both domestically and internationally. Films like All We Imagine As Light and Laapataa Ladies received global appreciation, while performances by actors including Sai Pallavi (Amaran), Kani Kusruti (All We Imagine As Light, Girls Will Be Girls), Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2), Alia Bhatt (Jigra) and Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life) received widespread appreciation during the awards season.

72nd National Film Awards: Major Winners

Best Feature Film: Article 370Best Indian Feature Film: SrikanthBest Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Hero) and Mammootty (Pramayugam)Best Director: Rajkumar Periyasamy (Amaran)Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki: 2898 ADBest Debut Film by a Director: Randeep Hooda (Swatantria Veer Savarkar)Best Film Critic (Indian): Sanjeev Shrivastava