72nd National Film Awards Announced: 'Article 370' Named Best Feature Film

The jury of the 72nd National Film Awards announced the winners for the year 2024 on 18 July 2026 in New Delhi, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. The announcement was made by Jayaraj (Chairperson, Feature Film Jury), Aseem Sinha (Chairperson, Non-Feature Film Jury) and A. Chandrasekhar (Chairperson, Best Writing on Cinema Jury). Key winners: Best Feature Film — Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale. The film also won Best Actress and Best Music Direction. Best Actor (jointly) — Mammootty for the Malayalam horror drama Bramayugam, and Kartik Aaryan for the Hindi sports biopic Chandu Champion. This is Mammootty's 4th National Film Award, after Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal (1989), Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan (1994), and Dr. Ambedkar (1999). Best Actress — Yami Gautam for Article 370 — her first-ever National Film Award. Best Direction — Rajkumar Periyasamy for the Tamil film Amaran. Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment — Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin. Best Debut Film of a Director — Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Best Non-Feature Film — Bhangaar; Best Documentary — Ram-Nami. Winners receive the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh in the acting categories.