'Article 370' Named Best Feature Film at 72nd National Film Awards

NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards on July 18, 2026, honoring the finest cinematic achievements certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the 2024 calendar year [1.1.1, 1.1.4, 1.1.9]. The political action-thriller Article 370 emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, securing the prestigious Best Feature Film award [1.1.2, 1.1.10].

The ceremony highlighted a transformative year for Indian cinema, characterized by strong performances across regional and national industries. The acting honors were particularly notable, with the Best Actor (Male) award shared between Hindi film star Kartik Aaryan and Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty [1.1.3, 1.1.9].

Top Acting Honors and Film Accolades

Yami Gautam was named Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Article 370, marking her first National Film Award [1.1.7, 1.1.10]. The film also received the award for Best Music Direction (Songs) for Shashwat Sachdev, further cementing its success [1.1.7, 1.1.9].

In the Best Actor category, Kartik Aaryan received his maiden National Film Award for his physically transformative role in the sports drama Chandu Champion [1.1.7, 1.1.10]. Sharing the honor, veteran actor Mammootty claimed his fourth National Award for his critically acclaimed performance in the horror-thriller Bramayugam [1.1.5, 1.1.7].

"The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards reflect the diversity and evolving storytelling landscape of Indian cinema," according to official announcements made at the National Media Centre in New Delhi [1.1.1, 1.1.9].

Broad Recognition Across Genres

The 72nd edition of the awards saw widespread recognition for both commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed regional cinema:

• Best Direction: Rajkumar Periasamy for the Tamil film Amaran, which also secured accolades for Best Editing and Best Background Music [1.1.7, 1.1.9].

• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: The mythological sci-fi actioner Kalki 2898 AD (Telugu), which was also recognized for its production design [1.1.3, 1.1.7].

• Best Debut Film of a Director: Randeep Hooda for the biographical drama Swatantrya Veer Savarkar [1.1.3, 1.1.9].

• Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values: Captain Miller (Tamil), which also received a special mention for actor Dhanush [1.1.3, 1.1.7, 1.1.8].

Official Sources

• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India: Announced the official list of winners and oversaw the selection process [1.1.4, 1.1.9].

• Press Information Bureau (PIB): Released the comprehensive list of awardees across feature, non-feature, and writing categories [1.1.3, 1.1.9].

• 72nd National Film Awards Jury: Led by Chairperson Jayaraj (Feature Film Jury) and Aseem Sinha (Non-Feature Film Jury), the panel evaluated over 400 submissions to finalize the results [1.1.1, 1.1.4, 1.1.9].

Why It Matters

The National Film Awards are considered India’s most prestigious cinematic honors, providing a platform that bridges regional and national boundaries. By recognizing diverse talent—from seasoned veterans like Mammootty to emerging stars like Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam—the awards validate the industry's focus on high-quality storytelling and technical innovation. For the film industry, these accolades represent significant cultural and professional milestones, often boosting the visibility and long-term legacy of the winning projects in a competitive global market.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Best Feature Film: Article 370 (Hindi) [1.1.3, 1.1.8]

• Best Actor: Shared by Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam) [1.1.3, 1.1.10]

• Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370) [1.1.3, 1.1.8]

• Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) [1.1.3, 1.1.7]

FAQ

What criteria are used to select the winners? The awards recognize excellence in Indian cinema for films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) within the specified calendar year—in this case, 2024 [1.1.1, 1.1.10].

Who led the jury for this year's awards? The feature film jury was chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Jayaraj, while the non-feature film jury was chaired by Aseem Sinha [1.1.1, 1.1.9].

How are the awards categorized? The awards are divided into several categories, including Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, and Writing on Cinema, covering aspects like acting, direction, music, and technical crafts [1.1.1, 1.1.9].

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), The Hindu, Indian Express, ANI News