72nd National Film Awards 2026: Full List of Winners

Article 370 dramatizes the political and administrative events leading up to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The film blends a thriller-style narrative with real historical developments, following an intelligence officer navigating the region's turbulent security landscape. It was praised for handling a sensitive national subject with narrative tension and scale. The jury recognised it as the year's best feature film for its ambition and craft.

Rajkumar Periasamy directed Amaran, a biographical war drama based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, an Indian Army officer who lost his life fighting militants in Kashmir. His direction balanced intimate personal moments with intense combat sequences, earning widespread critical acclaim. The film's emotional depth and technical polish under his direction helped it become one of 2024's most decorated titles.

Kartik Aaryan won for his transformative performance as Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medallist, in the sports biopic Chandu Champion. His physical transformation and emotional range in portraying a man who overcame war injuries to become a champion swimmer drew widespread praise. The role marked a significant departure from his earlier commercial films and showcased his range as a performer.

Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour for his haunting performance in Bramayugam, a Malayalam period horror film shot in stark black-and-white. He played a menacing, enigmatic landlord whose mansion traps a wandering singer in a battle of wits and survival. His commanding screen presence and nuanced portrayal of ambiguity and menace anchored the film's atmospheric tension.

Yami Gautam won Best Actress for her role as a sharp, determined intelligence bureau officer in Article 370. She carried much of the film's narrative momentum, portraying a woman navigating high-stakes political and security operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Her restrained yet forceful performance was seen as central to the film's critical success.

Sanjay Mishra was honoured for his supporting turn in Bhakshak, a drama that exposed institutional abuse inside a women's shelter home. Known for his understated acting style, Mishra brought nuance to a difficult, morally complex character within the film's social narrative. His performance added weight to a film built around uncomfortable but important truths.

Ropashree Varkady won for her supporting role in Mithya, a Kannada courtroom drama exploring themes of faith, gender and justice. Her performance added emotional texture to the film's exploration of a woman's fight within a patriarchal legal system. The award recognised her contribution to one of Kannada cinema's most acclaimed releases of the year.

Sachana Namidass shared the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Maharaja, a Tamil revenge thriller starring Vijay Sethupathi. Her performance contributed to the film's emotionally layered narrative structure, which unfolds through non-linear storytelling. The film was widely praised for its writing, performances and direction across the board.

These three young performers were honoured for their work in the Bengali film Onko Ki Kothin. Their naturalistic performances anchored a story rooted in childhood curiosity and everyday struggle. The award recognised their collective contribution to the film's emotional authenticity.

Arundev Pothula won for his performance in the Telugu children's film 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu. His portrayal captured the innocence and resilience of a child navigating a rural coming-of-age story. The film itself was also honoured in the Best Children's Film category.

Athish Shetty was recognised for his child performance in Mithya, adding another accolade to the acclaimed Kannada courtroom drama. His portrayal complemented the film's larger themes of justice and belief. The recognition reflects the film's strength across multiple performance categories.

35 Chinna Katha Kaadu won Best Children's Film for its heartfelt Telugu story centred on childhood and rural life. The film was praised for its gentle storytelling and authentic performances by its young cast. It also earned recognition for Arundev Pothula in the Best Child Artist category.

Kalki 2898 AD, a big-budget sci-fi epic blending mythology with a dystopian future setting, won for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Directed on a massive scale with an ensemble cast, the film became one of Indian cinema's most ambitious visual spectacles of the year. Its blend of technical innovation and mass appeal earned it this recognition.

Randeep Hooda made his directorial debut with Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a biographical drama on the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Hooda also starred in the lead role, portraying Savarkar's ideological journey and imprisonment. The film was recognised for its ambitious scope as a first directorial effort.

Sukumar won for his original screenplay on Pushpa: The Rule, the much-anticipated sequel to the pan-India hit franchise. The screenplay expanded the world of red sandalwood smuggling with sharper political intrigue and character conflict. His writing kept the franchise's mass appeal intact while deepening its narrative stakes.

Yogesh Deshpande won for adapting the life story of legendary Marathi composer Sudhir Phadke into a screenplay for Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke. The adaptation captured the musician's artistic journey and his contributions to Marathi music and cinema. The film was praised for honouring its subject with sensitivity and detail.

Venky Atluri won for his dialogue writing in Lucky Baskhar, a period drama set against the backdrop of the 1980s stock market and banking world. His writing gave the protagonist's moral dilemmas sharp, memorable expression. The film was widely praised for its writing as much as its performances.

Shehnad Jalal won for his striking black-and-white cinematography in Bramayugam, which built much of the film's dread and atmosphere through shadow and framing. His visual choices turned a single mansion setting into a claustrophobic, unsettling world. The cinematography was central to the film's acclaimed horror aesthetic.

R. Kalaivannan won for editing Amaran, shaping the film's rhythm between intense battlefield sequences and quieter domestic moments. His cutting helped balance the biographical drama's emotional and action-driven halves. The editing was praised for maintaining tension without losing the story's human core.

Nitin Zihani Choudhary won for the elaborate production design of Kalki 2898 AD, building a fully realised dystopian future world on screen. His work combined futuristic technology with mythological references to create a distinct visual universe. The scale and detail of the design were central to the film's spectacle.

Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma won for their costume design in Pushpa: The Rule, crafting looks that reinforced the film's rustic, larger-than-life character identities. Their work extended the franchise's distinctive visual style established in its predecessor. The costumes contributed to the film's cultural resonance and mass appeal.

P Ravi Kumar won for his makeup work in Committee Kurrollu, a Telugu film representing the Best Feature Film in Telugu this year. His work supported the film's grounded, realistic tone. The recognition adds to the film's broader critical success at this year's awards.

Vijay Ganguly won for choreographing the song "Aaj Ki Raat" in the horror-comedy Stree 2, one of the year's biggest commercial successes. The elaborate dance sequence became a viral cultural moment upon release. His choreography combined high energy with intricate group formations.

Shashwat Sachdev won for composing the songs of Article 370, adding an emotional and patriotic undertone to the political drama. His compositions complemented the film's tense, procedural narrative. The win adds to Article 370's dominant showing across this year's awards.

GV Prakash Kumar won for the background score of Amaran, heightening the emotional and dramatic weight of the war biopic. His score moved between intimate family scenes and high-intensity combat sequences with equal impact. The music was widely regarded as one of the film's strongest elements.

Manoj Muntashir won for his lyrics in Maidaan, a sports drama based on the story of Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. His writing added emotional resonance to the film's themes of sporting glory and national pride. The lyrics complemented the film's period setting and inspirational tone.

Abhay Jodhpurkar won Best Male Playback Singer for his rendition in the Marathi film Gharat Ganpati. His vocal performance brought warmth and devotion to a song rooted in family and festival tradition. The win highlights strong regional music talent recognised at this year's awards.

Vaikom Vijayalakshmi won Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition in the Malayalam film ARM. Her vocal performance was noted for its emotional depth and technical control. The award adds to her growing reputation as one of Malayalam cinema's notable playback voices.

Manas Choudhary won for the sound design of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the horror-comedy that continued one of Bollywood's most successful franchises. His work built atmosphere and comic timing through layered soundscapes. The sound design supported the film's blend of scares and humour.

Anl Arasu won for choreographing the action sequences in Maharaja, the acclaimed Tamil revenge thriller. His work grounded the film's violence in raw, visceral realism rather than stylised spectacle. The action design matched the film's intense, non-linear storytelling.

Captain Miller won for its portrayal of resistance against colonial oppression, centred on marginalised communities during India's independence movement. The Tamil period film combined action with a strong social and historical message. It also earned Dhanush a Special Mention for his lead performance.

Suren G received a Special Mention for his sound mixing work on Meiyazhagan, a Tamil drama exploring nostalgia and reconnection between old friends. His technical contribution enhanced the film's quiet, emotionally reflective tone. The recognition highlights the film's overall craft beyond its performances.

Dhanush received a Special Mention for his lead performance in Captain Miller, playing a man who becomes a symbol of rebellion against colonial rule. His portrayal added intensity and gravity to the period drama. The film also won the award for promoting national and social values.

Srikanth won Best Feature Film in Hindi, a biographical drama based on the life of visually impaired entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla. The film chronicled his journey from a small village to becoming a successful industrialist. It was praised for its inspiring, socially conscious narrative.

Mithya won Best Feature Film in Kannada, a courtroom drama exploring faith, gender and justice within India's legal system. The film also earned acting honours for its ensemble, including supporting and child artist categories. It was among the most decorated Kannada films this year.

Feminichi Fathima won Best Feature Film in Malayalam, a story centred on a Muslim woman's quiet assertion of identity and autonomy within her community. The film was praised for its restrained, socially grounded storytelling. It reflects Malayalam cinema's continued focus on nuanced, character-driven narratives. 

Raayan won Best Feature Film in Tamil, an action drama exploring family loyalty and moral conflict. The film balanced commercial appeal with a grounded emotional core. It reflects a strong year for mainstream Tamil cinema at the awards.

Committee Kurrollu won Best Feature Film in Telugu, a grounded drama praised for its realistic tone and craft, including its recognised makeup work. The film stood out for its understated storytelling amid a year of big-budget Telugu releases. It reflects the strength of smaller, character-driven Telugu cinema.