72nd National Film Awards 2026: Complete Winners List, Major Highlights and Why Article 370 Dominated

The 72nd National Film Awards celebrated the finest achievements in Indian cinema, recognizing outstanding performances, filmmaking excellence and technical brilliance across multiple languages. Considered India’s most prestigious film honours, the National Film Awards continue to reward artistic merit over commercial success, encouraging filmmakers to push creative boundaries.

This year’s awards witnessed a healthy mix of mainstream entertainers and content-driven cinema. Films from Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi cinema all found recognition, highlighting the diversity of Indian filmmaking.

The biggest winner of the ceremony was Article 370, while actors Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam received top acting honours for their memorable performances.

Article 370 Wins the Top Honour

The political drama Article 370 emerged as the biggest winner by receiving the award for Best Feature Film. The film impressed the jury with its powerful storytelling, gripping screenplay and socially relevant subject.

Winning the National Award is a significant achievement because it places a film among the finest works produced in the country during the year. The recognition further strengthens Article 370‘s reputation as one of the most talked-about Indian films of recent times.

Rajkumar Periasamy Named Best Director

Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Director award for Amaran. His direction was praised for balancing emotional storytelling with technically accomplished filmmaking.

The award recognizes not only the film’s narrative strength but also the director’s ability to bring together performances, visuals and music into a compelling cinematic experience.

Best Actor Award Shared by Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan

One of the biggest highlights of this year’s awards was the joint Best Actor honour.

Veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty won for his outstanding performance in Bramayugam. His portrayal once again demonstrated why he remains one of India’s finest actors after decades in cinema.

Sharing the award was Kartik Aaryan, who earned widespread appreciation for Chandu Champion. The performance marked an important milestone in his career, proving his ability to handle physically and emotionally demanding roles.

The joint recognition reflects the jury’s appreciation for two very different yet equally impactful performances.

Yami Gautam Wins Best Actress

Yami Gautam secured the Best Actress award for her role in Article 370.

Her performance was widely appreciated for its intensity, confidence and emotional depth. Winning a National Award marks one of the biggest achievements of her acting career and establishes her among the country’s most respected performers.

Regional Cinema Continues to Shine

One of the strengths of the National Film Awards has always been its equal recognition of films across languages.

The winners included:

• Best Hindi Film: Srikanth
• Best Tamil Film: Raayan
• Best Telugu Film: Kalki 2898 AD
• Best Malayalam Film: Feminichi Fathima
• Best Kannada Film: Murphy
• Best Marathi Film: Gharat Ganpati
• Best Gujarati Film: Kaashi Raaghav
• Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa

These awards showcase the growing quality of regional cinema, which continues to produce original stories rooted in local culture while appealing to national audiences.

Technical Excellence Recognised

Apart from acting and direction, the National Film Awards also honour the technicians whose work shapes the cinematic experience.

This year’s major technical winners included:

• Best Cinematography: The Paradise
• Best Screenplay: Kishkindha Kaandam
• Best Editing: Kishkindha Kaandam
• Best Music Direction (Songs): Amaran
• Best Background Score: Kalki 2898 AD
• Best Lyrics: Amaran

These awards underline the importance of writing, editing, cinematography and music in creating memorable films.

Playback Singing Honours

Music remains an integral part of Indian cinema, and the National Film Awards continue to recognize exceptional vocal performances.

The winners were:

• Best Male Playback Singer: Sid Sriram
• Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal

Both singers have consistently delivered chart-topping songs while maintaining exceptional artistic standards.

Encouraging Young Talent

The awards also honoured emerging artists.

Sachana Namidass received the Best Child Artist award, reflecting the remarkable maturity shown in the performance.

Special Mention awards were presented to Sanjay Mishra and Ropashree Varkady for their noteworthy contributions.

Other Important Winners

Several films were honoured for their unique contributions to Indian cinema.

Aattam won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, recognizing its ability to entertain while maintaining artistic quality.

Level Cross received the award for Best Debut Film of a Director, highlighting fresh talent in Indian filmmaking.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar won the award for Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values, acknowledging its thematic significance.

Why These Awards Matter

Unlike commercial award shows, the National Film Awards are judged by an independent jury appointed by the Government of India. Winners are selected primarily on artistic merit, storytelling, technical excellence and cultural impact rather than box office collections.

Receiving a National Award often becomes a defining moment in an artist’s career. Many acclaimed directors, actors, musicians and technicians consider it the highest recognition in Indian cinema.

The awards also encourage filmmakers to explore meaningful themes, experiment with storytelling and produce films that reflect India’s rich cultural diversity.

A Landmark Year for Indian Cinema

The 72nd National Film Awards demonstrate that Indian cinema is thriving across languages and genres. While commercial blockbusters continue to entertain audiences, content-driven films are receiving equal appreciation for their artistic achievements.

The success of Article 370, the recognition for Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam, and the strong representation of regional cinema together reflect the evolving landscape of Indian filmmaking.

As audiences increasingly embrace quality storytelling irrespective of language, the National Film Awards continue to celebrate excellence, inspire filmmakers and preserve the rich legacy of Indian cinema. The 72nd edition once again proved that powerful stories, exceptional performances and technical brilliance remain at the heart of India’s vibrant film industry.