72nd National Film Awards 2026 honour the best of Indian cinema

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Veteran actor Anant Nag receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award from President Droupadi Murmu

Chandigarh, September 22

The 72nd National Film Awards were presented at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat, on Tuesday, with President Droupadi Murmu honouring achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024. The ceremony was held outside the national capital, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting taking the awards to a new venue.

Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. The Government of India had announced the honour on September 16, with the awards scheduled to be conferred at the 72nd National Film Awards.

‘Article 370’ was adjudged the Best Feature Film, while Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role award. Yami Gautam was selected as the Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘Article 370’.

Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Direction award for Amaran, while Randeep Hooda was selected for the Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Kalki 2898 AD was named as the Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment.

The awards recognise films and artistes across feature films, non-feature films, and writing on cinema, covering Indian cinema from the perspective of different languages and regions.