Context
- The 72nd National Film Awards, recognising achievements in Indian cinema for 2024, were announced on 18 July 2026 and presented by the President of India on 22 September 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
About National Film Awards
- The National Film Awards are India’s prestigious honours for excellence in the field of cinema.
- Instituted: 1954 by the Government of India.
- They are conferred annually by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- The awards recognise outstanding creative and technical achievements in Indian filmmaking
- The awards cover three sections:
- Feature Films
- Non-Feature Films
- Best Writing on Cinema
Historical Evolution
- The first edition of the National Film Awards was held in 1954 and honoured films of 1953.
- Shyamchi Aai won the President’s Gold Medal for Best All-India Feature Film in the first edition.
- Awards for artists and technicians were introduced for films of 1967, with the first acting honours presented in 1968.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award (highest honour in Indian cinema) was instituted in 1969, with Devika Rani as its first recipient.
Selection Process
- Two-tier jury system for Feature Films (introduced from 57th edition):
- 5 regional panels → shortlist entries
- Central panel → decides final winners
- Non-Feature Film section & Best Writing on Cinema have separate juries
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: No entries invited — a specially constituted committee recommends the recipient
Eligibility
- Film must be CBFC-certified during the award year
- Must carry English subtitles
- Feature film must run for more than 72 minutes
- Dubbed/remade/re-edited versions not eligible
Language Provision
- Best Feature Film award given for each language in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.
- Languages outside Schedule VIII get separate awards.
- 72nd edition: Dholi (Garhwali) and IMBU (Tulu) recognised under this provision.
72nd National Film Awards: Key Facts
| Category | Film/Person |
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 (Hindi) |
| Best Direction | Rajkumar Periasamy — Amaran (Tamil) |
| Best Actor (Leading) | Mammootty (Bramayugam) & Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) — shared |
| Best Actress (Leading) | Yami Gautam — Article 370 |
| Best Popular Film (Wholesome Entertainment) | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Randeep Hooda — Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
| Best Non-Feature Film | Bhangaar |
| Best Documentary | Ram-Nami |
| Best Debut Director (Non-Feature) | Ravi Raj Murmu — Angen (Santhali) — first Santhali film honoured in Non-Feature category |
Conclusion
The National Film Awards recognise excellence across India’s diverse cinematic traditions and contribute to the promotion of Indian cinema, cultural diversity and national unity.