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
Legendary Playback Singer S. Janaki Passes Away at 88 Legendary playback singer S. Janaki passed away at the age of 88 at Apollo BGS Hospitals in Mysuru on July 11. Her granddaughter, Apsara Vydyula, announced the news through an emotional statement shared on Instagram, describing her as an iconic voice and a cherished grandmother. The family confirmed that Janaki died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and requested privacy as they mourned her loss. The hospital later stated she succumbed to multiple cardiac arrests at 7:30 pm following her admission to the facility. Apsara Vydyula, who shared the family’s message, expressed profound grief over her grandmother’s passing. “It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved grandmother and legendary singer, Smt. S. Janaki,” she wrote. The statement highlighted Janaki’s enduring legacy, noting how her music became part of countless memories for millions. Apsara also reflected on her personal connection, calling her a “loving grandmother” whose warmth, humility, kindness, and grace would remain with the family. The family concluded by asking for privacy during this difficult time, urging the public to respect their mourning. Janaki, widely regarded as one of India’s greatest playback singers, enjoyed a career spanning over six decades. She recorded more than 40,000 songs across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, earning her a reputation as one of the most prolific artists in Indian cinema. Her contributions were recognized with four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and numerous state honors. Fondly dubbed the “Nightingale of South India,” she collaborated with legendary composers such as M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, K. V. Mahadevan, A. R. Rahman, and M. M. Keeravani.#mysuru #s_janaki #apsara_vydyula #apollo_bgs_hospitals #national_film_awards
