President Droupadi Murmu will present the 72nd National Film Awards on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) in Gujarat. The ceremony will honour achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024.
The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954 and recognise creative and technical achievements in Indian filmmaking across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
President Droupadi Murmu will present the 72nd National Film Awards on September 22, 2026.
The ceremony is being held at Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia), Gujarat.
The awards honour achievements in Indian cinema for 2024.
Article 370 was named Best Feature Film.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan will share Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Yami Gautam will receive Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to hold the National Film Awards in different parts of the country, taking the ceremony beyond the National Capital. The 72nd edition is being held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were announced on July 18, 2026. Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Bhangaar was adjudged Best Non-Feature Film and Ram-Nami was named Best Documentary.
Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion will share the Best Actor in a Leading Role award. Yami Gautam will receive Best Actress in a Leading Role for Article 370. Rajkumar Periasamy will receive Best Direction for Amaran, while Kalki 2898 AD was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Randeep Hooda will receive the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The National Film Awards recognise creative and technical achievements in Indian cinema. The 72nd edition also marks the move of the ceremony beyond the National Capital, with the government planning to hold future editions in different states and cities.
In the non-feature film categories, Ravi Raj Murmu will receive the Best Debut Film of a Director (Non-Feature) award for Angen, while Aanand L Rai will receive Best Direction (Non-Feature) for Statue of Unity - Ekta ka Prateek.
Veteran actor Anant Nag will be conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 at the ceremony. The Government of India announced the award on September 16, 2026, recognising his contribution to Indian cinema and a cinematic career spanning more than five decades.
