The stage is set for a landmark celebration of Indian cinema as the 72nd National Film Awards are scheduled to be presented on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, formerly Kevadia, in Gujarat. The President of India will confer the prestigious honours, recognising outstanding achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024.
One of the major highlights of this year’s ceremony will be the presentation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 to veteran actor Anant Nag. The Government of India announced the honour on September 16, recognising his contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema and his cinematic journey spanning more than five decades.
Anant Nag has worked across several Indian film industries, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Marathi cinema. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he has appeared in more than 300 films and is known for his versatility across diverse roles. His notable work also includes the widely recognised television series Malgudi Days.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honour in Indian cinema and recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the industry. The award was instituted in 1969 and commemorates filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as a pioneering figure in Indian cinema.
Article 370 Leads the Feature Film Honours
The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were announced on 18 July 2026, covering films certified during 2024. Article 370 emerged as the Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her performance in the film.
The acting honours also recognise two acclaimed performances. Mammootty was selected as Best Actor in a Leading Role for Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan received the same honour for Chandu Champion. The two actors share the award in the leading actor category.
The Best Debut Film of a Director award will go to Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, marking recognition for his directorial debut.
Major Films Across Languages Receive Recognition
The 72nd National Film Awards reflect the broad linguistic and cultural diversity of Indian filmmaking. Several commercially successful and critically recognised films have also secured honours across different categories.
Kalki 2898 AD has been recognised as the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while Amaran has earned the Best Direction award for director Rajkumar Periasamy. Other prominent titles receiving honours include Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2.
The awards also span films made in multiple languages and represent different cinematic traditions from across India, underlining the country’s diverse filmmaking landscape.
Bhangaar and Ram-Nami Among Major Non-Feature Winners
In the non-feature section, Bhangaar has been selected as the Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami has received the Best Documentary award. These honours highlight the contribution of documentary and non-fiction filmmaking alongside mainstream feature cinema.
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The National Film Awards cover three principal fields: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films and Writing on Cinema. The awards recognise creative and technical achievements across genres, languages and regions.
A Seven-Decade-Old National Cinema Honour
Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards have evolved into one of India’s major national platforms for recognising excellence in filmmaking. Over more than seven decades, the awards have celebrated filmmakers, actors, technicians, writers and other creative professionals working across India’s varied cinematic traditions.
This year’s ceremony also marks the continued effort to take the National Film Awards beyond New Delhi. The government has announced that future editions will be held across different states and cities, with the Ekta Nagar ceremony reflecting the broader geographic and cultural reach of Indian cinema.
As the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony approaches, the spotlight will fall on a wide spectrum of Indian cinematic achievement. From Anant Nag’s lifetime contribution to the major honours for Article 370, Bramayugam, Chandu Champion, Amaran and other acclaimed films, the ceremony will bring together celebrated names and diverse creative voices from across the country’s film industry.
On 22 September, Ekta Nagar will host a celebration of India’s cinematic heritage, contemporary filmmaking and the artists whose work continues to shape the country’s film landscape.
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