The 72nd National Film Awards are being presented today, September 22, in Gujarat, but the films and performances taking centre stage belong to an earlier year. From Article 370 and Bramayugam to Chandu Champion and Amaran, the winners being honoured at the 2026 ceremony come from the 2024 film cycle.
The two-year gap is not a change to the eligibility year. The National Film Awards are tied to the year in which eligible films are certified, while the jury process, announcement of winners and presentation of the awards happen separately.
For the 72nd edition, films certified during 2024 were considered for the awards. The winners were announced on July 18, 2026, following the jury process, with the formal presentation taking place today.
The awards process involves multiple stages, particularly for feature films. Entries are assessed by regional panels before a central jury determines the winners, while separate juries evaluate non-feature films and writing on cinema. The resulting timeline can therefore extend well beyond the year in which the eligible films were released or certified.
This year’s ceremony brings several prominent 2024 releases back into focus. Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam received Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan share Best Actor in a Leading Role for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion, respectively.
Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Director for Amaran, while Kalki 2898 AD received Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Telugu films Pushpa: The Rule Part-02 and Kalki 2898 AD also secured two awards each. Veteran actor Anant Nag is receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year.
The 2026 ceremony also marks a venue change for the National Film Awards. Instead of the long-associated Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the presentation is taking place at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, with the Statue of Unity as its backdrop.
Where to watch the National Film Awards 2026
The ceremony is being streamed live on Doordarshan National’s YouTube channel, allowing viewers to follow the presentation online.
The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954 and continue to recognise achievements across India’s feature, non-feature and writing-on-cinema categories.
Want the complete results? Read our full list of 72nd National Film Awards winners here.
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