President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony was held outside New Delhi. The awards recognise outstanding achievements in Indian cinema for films certified during 2024 across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema. The honour recognises his career spanning more than five decades and his contribution to Kannada and Indian cinema.
Hindi film Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam received the Best Actress award for her performance in the film. The Best Actor honour was shared by Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Director award for the Tamil film Amaran. Kalki 2898 AD was recognised as the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
The ceremony brought together actors, filmmakers, technicians and other members of India’s film industry at Ekta Nagar. The decision to take the National Film Awards beyond the national capital is part of an initiative to celebrate Indian cinema in different regions of the country and highlight India’s diverse cinematic traditions.
The 72nd National Film Awards continue the tradition of recognising artistic and technical excellence in Indian cinema. Instituted in 1954, the awards cover a wide range of languages, regions and filmmaking disciplines, making them among India’s major national honours for cinematic
