The 72nd National Film Awards Celebrate Excellence in Indian Cinema The 72nd National Film Awards were announced on July 18, 2026, honoring films that received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the 2024 calendar year. The ceremony recognized achievements in feature films, non-feature films, and writing across Indian languages, with a focus on storytelling, technical innovation, and cultural impact. Among the standout winners was the Tamil slice-of-life drama Meiyazhagan, which received special mention for its sound mixing. Yami Gautam was named Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Article 370, a political action-thriller directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Aditya Dhar. The film’s music, blending heavy electronic synths with traditional Kashmiri folk elements, earned Shaswat Sachdeva the National Film Award for Best Music Director. Malayalam superstar Mammotty and Hindi actor Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor award for their roles in Bramayugam (Malayalam) and Chandu Champion (Hindi), respectively. Mammotty’s portrayal of a tyrannical landlord in Bramayugam was praised for its chilling intensity, while Kartik Aaryan’s debut National Film Award for Chandu Champion highlighted his performance as Murlikant Petkar, a former freestyle swimmer and India’s first Paralympic gold medalist. The awards also celebrated technical excellence, with G.V. Prakash winning Best Music Director for Amaran, a biopic on real-life hero Major Mukund Varadarajan. The film, starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, was lauded for its soul-stirring narrative and technical prowess.#central_board_of_film_certification #yami_gautam #national_film_awards #meiyazhagan #article_370
