Last updated: 23 September 2026
The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 honoured achievements in Indian cinema for 2024. Article 370 won Best Feature Film, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared Best Actor in a Leading Role. Yami Gautam won Best Actress for Article 370.
The winners were announced on 18 July 2026, and President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at the ceremony in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 22 September 2026.
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. The awards recognise achievements in feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. This quick guide summarises the important winners and facts for SSC and Railway exam revision.
72nd National Film Awards 2026: Quick summary table
| Exam point | Answer |
|---|---|
| Edition | 72nd National Film Awards |
| Awards recognised | Indian cinema for 2024 |
| Winners announced | 18 July 2026 |
| Award ceremony | 22 September 2026 |
| Ceremony venue | Ekta Nagar, Gujarat |
| Presented by | President Droupadi Murmu |
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam) – shared |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Yami Gautam for Article 370 |
| Best Direction | Rajkumar Periasamy for Amaran |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 | Anant Nag |
| Best Non-Feature Film | Bhangaar |
Read the article: 11th Ayurveda Day 2026
Major winners at the 72nd National Film Awards
| Categories | Winners | Film or work |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 | Article 370 |
| Best Direction | Rajkumar Periasamy | Amaran |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty | Chandu Champion and Bramayugam |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Yami Gautam | Article 370 |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Sanjay Mishra | Bhakshak |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Sachana Namidass and Ropashree Varkady | Maharaja and Mithya |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Kalki 2898 AD | – |
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Randeep Hooda | Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
| Best Children’s Film | 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu | Telugu |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 | Anant Nag | Contribution to Indian cinema |
Other important award winners
Best Screenplay (Original): Sukumar (Pushpa 2: The Rule)
Best Screenplay (Adapted): Yogesh Deshpande (Swargandharva Sudhi Phadke)
Best Dialogue Writer: Venky Atluri (Lucky Bhaskar)
Music & Technical Categories:
Best Music Direction (Background Music): V. Prakash Kumar (Amaran)
Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal (Brahmayugam)
Choreography: Vijay Ganguly (Stree 2)
Special Mention: Dhanush (Captain Miller)
Non-Feature Film Section:
Best Non-Feature Film: Bhangaai
Best Documentary: Ram-Nami
Best Short Film: Humsafar
Best Direction: Anand L.Rai (Statue of Unity-Ekta ka Prateek)
Why are the 2026 National Film Awards for films from 2024?
The award edition number refers to the ceremony, not the year in which the recognised films were released. The 72nd National Film Awards covered eligible films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The winners were announced in July 2026 and received their awards at the ceremony in September 2026. 72nd National Film Awards 2026: Winners List, Best Film and Best Actor
Quick revision points for SSC and Railway exams
- Article 370 won Best Feature Film.
- Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared Best Actor in a Leading Role.
- Yami Gautam won Best Actress in a Leading Role.
- Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Direction for Amaran.
- Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. 72nd National Film Awards 2026: Winners List, Best Film and Best Actor
- Bhangaar won Best Non-Feature Film.
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 22 September 2026.
- The awards recognised eligible films certified in 2024.
Practice questions
1. Which film won Best Feature Film at the 72nd National Film Awards?
A. Amaran
B. Article 370
C. Srikanth
D. Kalki 2898 AD
Answer: B. Article 370
2. Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024?
A. Mammootty
B. Rajkumar Periasamy
C. Anant Nag
D. Sanjeev Shrivastava
Answer: C. Anant Nag
3. Which film won Best Non-Feature Film?
A. Ram-Nami
B. Hamsafar
C. Bhangaar
D. Touched as Water
Answer: C. Bhangaar
Frequently asked questions
Q1) Who won Best Feature Film at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Ans: Article 370 won Best Feature Film.
Q2) Who shared the Best Actor award?
Ans: Kartik Aaryan won for Chandu Champion and Mammootty for Bramayugam. They shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Q3) Who won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024?
Ans: Veteran actor Anant Nag received the award for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Q4) When and where was the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held?
Ans: The ceremony was held on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards.