72nd National Film Awards 2026 winners: Here are the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards that celebrated some of the best performances in Indian cinema. The awards are given to those films that have got certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2024. There were various outstanding performances and stories from multiple Indian languages.
Article 370 was one of the biggest winners of this award ceremony and received the Best Feature Film award. This movie also had the honor of taking home the Best Actress award for its protagonist Yami Gautam.
Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty Win Best Actor
Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty were honored with the Best Actor award for their inspiring performances in Chandu Champion and Bramayugam respectively.
Yami Gautam Takes Home Best Actress Award
Article 370, in which Yami Gautam played the lead character, bagged the Best Actress award for her commendable and strong performance.appreciation for its intensity and convincing portrayal, making her one of the standout winners of this year’s awards.
Rajkumar Periasamy Named Best Director
For Amaran, Rajkumar Periasamy, the director of the film, bagged the Best Director award. The film got high appreciation from the jury due to its great storytelling, direction, and execution. Additionally, the film collected several awards in the category of editing and music as well.
Tamil Cinema Delivers Strong Performance
Tamil cinema enjoyed a remarkable evening at the National Film Awards.
It can be said that Tamil films had an amazing night at the National Film Awards ceremony.
Firstly, Raayan, directed by Dhanush, was declared the Best Tamil Film of the year. Further, a Special Mention went to Dhanush for his performance in the film, Captain Miller.
Major Winners at the 72nd National Film Awards
- Best Feature Film: Article 370
- Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam)
- Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)
- Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
- Best Tamil Film: Raayan
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki 2898 AD
- Best Action Choreography: Maharaja
- Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values: Captain Miller
Why the National Film Awards Matter
National Film Awards are some of the most prestigious awards in cinema in India. These are given in recognition of quality performances in acting, directing, script writing, music, cinematography, editing, and other creative and technical categories as well as to represent the variety of films produced in India through regional languages.
Conclusion
In the 72nd National Film Awards, the growth and maturity of Indian film industry have once again been reflected by the movies such as Article 370, Amaran, Raayan, Bramayugam, and Chandu Champion.