72nd National Film Awards 2026 Highlights: Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, Yami Gautam receive Best Actor awards; Anant Nag honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

After receiving her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in director Aditya Suhas Jambhale's Article 370, actor Yami Gautam told the media, "I am still trying to soak in this moment. It's a great matter of pride and honour for any film artiste who has worked all their life. There is still a lot left for me to learn in my journey, but receiving such a prestigious honour in itself, and at such a historic place, is truly special."

While addressing the gathering, Anant Nag recalled that he began his acting career in theatre, and appeared in about 50 plays in five years during his initial years.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "I am trying to digest the majesty of this function. I am very happy to be with you all here today. As an actor, you have seen me perform. You have seen some of the snippets. I grew up in an ashram during my childhood up to age 12. In Mumbai, I got a chance to act in a play."

He added, "This award doesn't belong to me alone. It also belongs to everyone — producers, directors, associate directors, and assistant directors. The awards belong to millions of people who opened their hearts and minds to my characters over decades."

As he accepted his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor, Malayalam megastar Mammootty received a standing ovation. With this, Mammootty has become the most honoured in the category, tying him with Amitabh Bachchan.

While Shehnad Jalal won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Bramayugam, Venky Atluri bagged the National Film Award for Best Screenplay (Dialogues) for Lucky Baskhar.

Mammootty has arrived to collect his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor in a white bandhgala kurta. While Kartik Aaryan donned a black bandhgala kurta, Dhanush wore a traditional outfit. Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar and his wife, actor Yami Gautam, were seen interacting with the Malayalam superstar on the occasion.

During his speech, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed legendary actor Anant Nag, who will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award today. Nag then got a standing ovation.

Director Aditya Dhar, the co-producer of Article 370, which won the Best Feature Film award, has arrived for the event in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. On the red carpet, the host asked him about Dhurandhar. But Aditya cleverly evaded the question, saying that he might come back to the National Film Awards next year if Dhurandhar manages to win.

"We are here for Article 370. We will discuss Dhurandhar, hopefully, if we come next year also, but today it's all about Article 370," he said. His wife, actor Yami Gautam, will receive the Best Actress award for the same film today. Read More

In the non-feature film categories, Shivpal Singh Kang (Parat 41°chya Magavar) and Manvir Jasrotia (NDA) bagged the National Film Awards for Best Music Direction and Best Editing, respectively. TS Hari Hara Sudhan bagged the National Film Award for Best Sound Design (non-feature film) for Blue.

The 72nd National Film Awards commenced with the national song, "Vande Mataram," followed by the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana." President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on the winners soon.

Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards have emerged as India's most prestigious honours in cinema. The awards have been hosted in New Delhi since their inception, with one notable exception. In 1970, the 17th National Film Awards were held at the University Centenary Auditorium in Chennai (then called Madras). This year, the awards are being conferred at Ekta Nagar, home to the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat.

Expressing hope that he gets to return to the National Film Awards ceremony next year with Dhurandhar, director Aditya Dhar said that today's ceremony is all about Article 370, for which his wife, Yami Gautam, won the National Film Award for Best Actress. On the red carpet, she said it feels great to receive "the biggest validation for any artiste in the country."

Article 370 was also named the Best Feature Film.

Discussing his historic fourth National Award win, Mammootty said, "It's inspirational for every performer to be recognised by the nation. Luckily, this is my fourth National Film Award for Best Actor. It's been a long journey, with many people behind me supporting me, including my directors, co-actors, and those who have stood by me. I am very happy I could entertain them for so long, and I hope I can continue for even longer. I can assure you that I will be working harder."

Revealing his acting process, Mammootty said, "I don't prepare much. Once I am on set, I get something. I don't know what magic it is. The character sketch they brought me for Bramayugam was not this. I sat with my makeup artist and costume designer for half an hour and created this."

While walking the red carpet, Randeep Hooda interacted with Doordarshan National and said, "Sardar Patel dwarves our achievements." The ceremony is being held at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar.

As Gujarat's Ekta Nagar hosts its first National Film Awards ceremony, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called for the event to be held at prominent tourist destinations across the country in the coming years. "Today, the National Film Awards ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar, where the world's tallest statue of Sardar Patel is located. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have undertaken the initiative of taking the National Film Awards to major tourist spots across the country," news agency ANI quoted Vaishnaw as saying.

"Earlier, the National Film Awards were held only inside a conference room or a hall. The National Film Awards are such an honour that all the major artists, actors, cinematographers, camera personnel, artistes and technicians from the film industry are associated with them. If we hold it at a tourist destination, naturally, the tourism destination will also benefit, and a new format of the National Film Awards will be presented to everyone. With this thought process, we are now taking the National Film Awards to tourist destinations," he added.

Actor Kartik Aaryan reached Gujarat's Ekta Nagar on Monday, September 21, to take part in the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, where he will receive his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Chandu Champion. During the day, he shared photos from his visit to the Statue of Unity.

Gujarat's Ekta Nagar in Narmada district is set to host its first-ever National Film Awards ceremony. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, scheduled to begin at 3 pm on Tuesday, September 22. Click here to learn where you can watch the ceremony live