Top highlights from the 72nd National Film Awards as Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam as winners

Highlights:

Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam and Randeep Hooda are among the biggest names being honored at the 72nd National Film Awards, with this year’s ceremony bringing some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stars to Gujarat.

Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan are sharing the Best Actor award for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion, respectively. For Mammootty, the honor marks his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor.

Yami Gautam has won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Article 370, which has also been named Best Feature Film. Randeep Hooda, meanwhile, has received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag is also receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, one of the most significant honors in Indian cinema.

A National Film Awards ceremony unlike any before

The star-studded event is taking place on Tuesday (22) at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honors.

What makes this edition particularly notable is its location. The National Film Awards have traditionally been held in New Delhi, but this year’s ceremony is taking place outside the capital for the first time. The government has also indicated that future editions will be hosted in different states and cities.

The awards are being held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity, giving the ceremony a distinctly Gujarat setting.

For the state, the event means a major gathering of Indian cinema stars, filmmakers and industry professionals at Ekta Nagar.

92 winners are being honored

The 72nd National Film Awards are recognizing achievements in Indian cinema during 2024, with 92 winners being honored across different categories. The winners were announced in July 2026.
Alongside Article 370, other major films receiving recognition include Amaran, Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Stree 2 and Maharaja.

Rajkumar Periasamy has won Best Direction for Amaran, while Kalki 2898 AD has been named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Mammootty reflects on his fourth National Award

For Mammootty, the Gujarat ceremony adds another milestone to an already celebrated career.

Speaking to DD National, the actor described the recognition as an inspiration and credited the directors, writers, co-stars, producers and audiences who have supported him throughout his career.

“It’s an inspiration to every performer to get recognised by the nation and luckily I’m very fortunate to have my fourth National Award for the Best Actor. It’s been a long journey with a lot of people behind me or supporting me, my directors, my writers, my co-actors and my producer and the people who were appreciating me.”

He also said he hopes to continue entertaining audiences and working for many more years.

From Delhi to the Statue of Unity

The move to Gujarat gives the 72nd National Film Awards an unusual backdrop.

Instead of the familiar Vigyan Bhawan setting in New Delhi, this year’s ceremony is taking place at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity. The location reflects the government's plan to take future editions of the awards to different parts of India.

It also gives Gujarat a rare moment in the spotlight as some of Indian cinema’s biggest names gather in the state for one of the country's most prestigious film ceremonies.

How to watch the National Film Awards

For viewers at home, the ceremony is being streamed live on DD National’s YouTube channel from 3 p.m. IST on Tuesday (22). President Murmu begins presenting the awards from 4 p.m.

With Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Randeep Hooda and Anant Nag among the major names being honored, the 72nd National Film Awards mark both a celebration of Indian cinema and a new chapter for the ceremony itself.