The stage is set for one of Indian cinema’s biggest honours as the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony takes place on September 22, 2026. This year's event will recognise outstanding films, actors, directors, technicians and writers for work associated with Indian films certified during 2024.

In a notable change, the ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, in Gujarat rather than in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at the ceremony. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said that future editions are also planned to be organised in different states and cities, taking the National Film Awards beyond the national capital.

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were officially announced on July 18, 2026. Among the biggest names receiving recognition this year are Yami Gautam, Kartik Aaryan and Malayalam superstar Mammootty. Films including Article 370, Kalki 2898 AD, Amaran, Bramayugam and Chandu Champion feature prominently among the major honours.

Article 370 Wins Best Feature Film

Article 370 has secured the prestigious Best Feature Film honour at the 72nd National Film Awards.

The Hindi film, produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios and directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, will receive the Swarna Kamal. According to the official award list, the producer and director are each entitled to a cash prize of ₹3 lakh along with the honour.

The film has also delivered a major individual award for its lead actress.

Yami Gautam Named Best Actress

Yami Gautam has been selected as Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Article 370.

She will receive the Rajat Kamal and a cash award of ₹2 lakh, according to the government's official list. Her acting honour adds to the multiple National Film Awards secured by Article 370 this year.

Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty Share Best Actor Honour

The Best Actor in a Leading Role category has two winners at the 72nd National Film Awards.

Mammootty has been recognised for his performance in the Malayalam film Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan has been honoured for portraying the central character in the Hindi film Chandu Champion.

The two actors share the Best Actor award. The official list specifies a Rajat Kamal and ₹2 lakh cash prize for the shared category.

Kalki 2898 AD Wins Popular Film Award

The Prabhas-starrer Kalki 2898 AD has been selected as the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

The Telugu film was produced by Vyjayanthi Movies and directed by Nag Ashwin Singireddy. The official award details specify a Swarna Kamal and ₹3 lakh each for the producer and director in this category.

Other prominent movies receiving honours across different categories include Amaran, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2.

Rajkumar Periasamy Wins Best Direction

Another important winner is Rajkumar Periasamy, who has been selected for the Best Direction award for the Tamil film Amaran.

The award carries a Swarna Kamal and a ₹3 lakh cash prize. Meanwhile, Randeep Hooda has won the Best Debut Film of a Director honour for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

In the non-feature section, Bhangaar has been named Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami has received the Best Documentary honour.

Anant Nag to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2024 at the September 22 ceremony.

The government announced the honour on September 16, recognising his contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema and a career spanning more than five decades. Anant Nag has worked extensively across Indian cinema and is particularly associated with Kannada films.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest national recognition for contribution to Indian cinema and is presented separately alongside the National Film Awards.

Sanjeev Shrivastava Wins Best Film Critic

The National Film Awards also recognise excellence in writing and criticism related to cinema.

Sanjeev Shrivastava has been selected as the Best Film Critic in the Writing on Cinema section. The Best Book on Cinema award, meanwhile, goes to the Kannada-language book Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi, written by Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty and published by Mirror Pusthaka.

National Film Awards Celebrate Indian Cinema Across Languages

Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards recognise achievements in feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. This year's winners represent a broad range of languages and filmmaking traditions, including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Santhali, among others.

The 72nd edition is especially significant because the awards ceremony is moving outside Delhi. The September 22 event at Ekta Nagar will bring together actors, filmmakers, technicians and other members of the film industry to formally receive honours that were announced in July.

With Article 370 taking Best Feature Film, Yami Gautam winning Best Actress, Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan sharing Best Actor, Kalki 2898 AD receiving the popular film honour and Anant Nag set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the 72nd National Film Awards will recognise achievements spanning both mainstream and regional Indian cinema.