National Film Awards 2026: Blockbusters, Brilliant Performances and Big Wins

The curtains have risen on one of Indian cinema's most prestigious celebrations, and the 72nd National Film Awards have delivered a spectacular mix of blockbuster triumphs, powerful performances and well-deserved recognition. Announced in New Delhi, the awards honoured films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2024, celebrating storytelling that entertained, inspired and sparked conversations across the country.The biggest winner of the evening was undoubtedly Article 370, which walked away with Best Feature Film, Best Actress, and Best Music Direction, making it the standout film of this year's awards. The film earned Yami Gautam the Best Actress award for her compelling performance. Adding another feather to its cap, Shashwat Sachdev received the Best Music Director award for the film's powerful soundtrack, completing a remarkable triple victory.Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan Share the Top Acting HonourOne of the most exciting announcements of the evening came with the Best Actor category, where two exceptional performances were recognised.Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty won for his haunting performance in Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan secured the honour for his inspiring portrayal in Chandu Champion. The shared award celebrated two vastly different performances that captivated audiences in their own unique ways.The supporting acting categories also showcased the diversity of Indian cinema. Veteran actor Sanjay Mishra earned the Best Supporting Actor award for his acclaimed role in Bhakshak.Ropashree Varkady won Best Supporting Actress for the Kannada film Mithya, while Sachana Namidass shared the honour for her performance in the Tamil film Maharaja.The Best Child Artist award was jointly presented to Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, and Gitashree Chakraborty, recognising the remarkable performances delivered by young talents.Directors and Films That Made a MarkTamil filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy won the Best Director award for Amaran, adding another prestigious accolade to the film's successful journey.Among other major winners:Kalki 2898 AD won Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and also earned the Best Production Design award for Nitin Zihani Choudhary.Captain Miller received the Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.Srikanth was honoured as the Best Hindi Film.Chinna Katha Kaadu won Best Children's Film.Actor Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.Celebrating the Voices Behind the MusicMusic also had its moment in the spotlight.Abhay Jodhpurkar won Best Male Playback Singer for the Marathi film Gharat Ganpati, while celebrated singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi received the Best Female Playback Singer award for the Malayalam film ARM.A Celebration of Indian CinemaChaired by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj, the jury recognised films that reflected the rich diversity of Indian cinema across languages and genres. From socially relevant dramas and historical epics to science fiction spectacles and emotionally charged performances, this year's National Film Awards highlighted the creative excellence that continues to define Indian filmmaking.With established stars sharing the spotlight alongside emerging talent, the 72nd National Film Awards once again celebrated the power of cinema to entertain, inspire and leave a lasting impact on audiences across the nation.