72nd National Film Awards Full Winners List: Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, And Mammootty Win Big

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were officially announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi on Saturday evening, celebrating some of the finest achievements in Indian cinema. Covering films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2024, this year’s awards recognized excellence across multiple languages and genres, reflecting the diversity and creativity of the Indian film industry.

Among the biggest winners of the evening was Article 370, which walked away with the coveted Best Film award while also earning recognition in the music category. The ceremony also turned out to be a memorable occasion for Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and Mammootty, all of whom shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role honour for their acclaimed performances.

From blockbuster entertainers to content-driven cinema, the winners list showcased how Indian filmmaking continues to evolve while maintaining a strong connection with audiences across the country.

Article 370 Tops The Honours

One of the biggest talking points from this year’s National Film Awards was the remarkable performance of Article 370. The political thriller not only secured the prestigious Best Film award but also won recognition for its music, with Shaswat Sachdev receiving the Best Music Direction honour.

The film’s success highlights the growing appreciation for stories that combine compelling narratives with impactful filmmaking. Article 370 managed to strike a balance between commercial appeal and critical acclaim, making it one of the most celebrated films of the year.

Adding to the film’s glorious run was Yami Gautam, who shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for her powerful performance. Her win further cements her position as one of Bollywood’s most versatile performers, with the National Award becoming another significant milestone in her career.

Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty Win Best Actor

The acting categories delivered one of the evening’s biggest surprises. Instead of a single winner, the jury honoured Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and Mammootty jointly with the Best Actor in a Leading Role award.

Kartik Aaryan received the honour for his performance in Chandu Champion, a role that demanded both emotional depth and physical transformation. The recognition marks a defining moment in the actor’s career, reinforcing his transition from a commercial star to an award-winning performer.

Yami Gautam earned the award for Article 370, with her intense portrayal receiving praise from both audiences and critics.

Veteran superstar Mammootty completed the trio for his acclaimed performance in the Malayalam horror drama Bramayugam. Widely regarded as one of Indian cinema’s finest actors, Mammootty once again proved why he continues to remain at the top of his game even after decades in the industry.

The jury’s decision to honour three actors reflects the exceptional quality of performances delivered across different film industries this year.

Amaran, Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa 2 And Maharaja Shine

While Article 370 emerged as the biggest overall winner, several other films enjoyed an impressive outing. Amaran secured multiple honours, including Best Direction for Rajkumar Periasamy, Best Editing for R Kalaivannan, and a share of the Best Music Direction award for GV Prakash Kumar.

Science-fiction epic Kalki 2898 AD continued its award-winning journey by claiming Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film also received recognition for Best Production Design, acknowledging its visually ambitious world-building. Pushpa 2 added more accolades to its impressive run, winning awards for Best Costume Design and Best Screenplay, while Maharaja earned honours in Best Action Direction and supporting performance categories.

These wins underline how both large-scale commercial entertainers and content-rich dramas found equal appreciation from the National Awards jury.

Regional Cinema Continues To Lead The Way

One of the defining strengths of the National Film Awards has always been its celebration of cinema beyond Hindi films, and this year’s winners once again reflected that philosophy. Outstanding films from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Konkani, Odia, Tulu, Garhwali, and Manipuri cinema were honoured across their respective categories.

This broad representation highlights the incredible storytelling taking place across India’s regional film industries. Several of these films have earned acclaim not only for their artistic merit but also for presenting stories deeply rooted in local cultures while appealing to wider audiences.

The National Awards continue to provide a platform where excellence is recognised irrespective of language or budget, making them one of the country’s most respected cinematic honours.

Technical Excellence Also Receives Recognition

Beyond acting and filmmaking, the awards also celebrated the artists working behind the scenes. Honours were presented across categories including cinematography, editing, screenplay, dialogues, choreography, production design, sound design, lyrics, music direction, costume design, makeup, playback singing, and action direction.

These awards acknowledge the collaborative effort that goes into filmmaking and recognise technicians whose contributions often shape a film’s overall impact. From visually stunning productions to emotionally rich soundtracks, this year’s winners reflected the high standards Indian cinema continues to achieve across technical departments.

A Celebration Of The Best Of Indian Cinema

The 72nd National Film Awards once again highlighted the remarkable diversity of Indian cinema. Whether it was thought-provoking dramas, large-scale commercial entertainers, or regional gems, the awards recognised stories that entertained, inspired, and pushed creative boundaries.

For Bollywood, the evening belonged to Article 370, Kartik Aaryan, and Yami Gautam, while Malayalam cinema celebrated another landmark achievement through Mammootty’s award-winning performance in Bramayugam. At the same time, films like Amaran, Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa 2, and Maharaja reaffirmed that quality filmmaking continues to flourish across every corner of the country.

The complete winners list reflects a healthy mix of commercial success, artistic excellence, and technical brilliance. As Indian cinema continues to evolve, the National Film Awards remain the ultimate recognition for those who leave a lasting impact through their craft.

72nd National Film Awards 2026 Winners List

Conclusion

The 72nd National Film Awards once again showcased the incredible diversity and talent that define Indian cinema today. From Article 370 emerging as the biggest winner to Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and Mammootty sharing the top acting honour, this year’s awards celebrated performances and films that left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.

Beyond the major Bollywood winners, the recognition given to regional cinema across multiple languages reinforced the National Film Awards’ commitment to honouring excellence irrespective of language or scale. With acclaimed films like Amaran, Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa 2, Maharaja, and several regional gems also taking home top honours, the winners list reflects the rich storytelling and technical brilliance that continue to elevate Indian cinema on the global stage.

As these celebrated films and artists receive the country’s highest cinematic recognition, the 72nd National Film Awards serve as another reminder that compelling stories and exceptional performances will always remain at the heart of great filmmaking.

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