Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Why the 72nd National Film Awards Honoured 2024 Films
The National Film Awards do not honour only movies released shortly before the ceremony.
This year, they recognised films certified during all of 2024.
Judges needed time to watch and assess many feature films, short films and writing submissions.
The winners were finalised on July 18, 2026.
The formal ceremony took place on September 22, 2026.
Article 370 won Best Feature Film, and Yami Gautam won Best Actress for it.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor award.
The ceremony also moved outside New Delhi for the first time, taking place near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
The 72nd National Film Awards honoured films certified during the 2024 calendar year.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards on September 22, 2026, months after winners were announced.
Article 370 won Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam received Best Actress for the film.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared Best Actor honours for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion.
The ceremony was held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking its first departure from New Delhi.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards; the winners included Article 370, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and others.
- What
- The 72nd National Film Awards recognised Indian cinema certified during 2024.
- When
- The ceremony was held on September 22, 2026; the winners were finalised on July 18, 2026.
- Where
- The presentation took place in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, near the Statue of Unity.
- Why
- The awards process covers submissions from an entire calendar year, requiring juries to review films before selecting winners.
- Awards edition
- 72nd National Film Awards
- Films covered
- Cinema certified across the 2024 calendar year
- Presentation date
- September 22, 2026
- Winners announced
- The winners list was finalised on July 18, 2026
- Jury
- An 11-member jury chaired by filmmaker Jayaraj
- Best Feature Film
- Article 370
- Best Actor
- Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion
- Ceremony location
- Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, near the Statue of Unity