Yami Gautam, Kartik Aaryan win big at National Film Awards; ‘Article 370’ star calls honour ‘biggest validation’

President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at a ceremony that marked the first time in more than seven decades that the National Film Awards were held outside New Delhi.

Veteran actor Anant Nag was hounoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema.

The ceremony recognised films and performances from the year 2024, with Yami taking home the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370, while Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role honour with Malayalam superstar Mammootty.

Kartik was recognised for his performance in Chandu Champion, while Mammootty won for Bramayugam.

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated all the award winners who, through their exceptional talent and hard work have carved a niche for themselves at the national level.

She expressed happiness that Shri Anant Nag has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She said that his acting in films represents a synthesis of the finest elements of theatre and cinema.

Yami Gautam: ‘Biggest validation’

For Yami Gautam, the National Award marked a significant milestone in her career. Speaking to Prasar Bharati, the actor described the honour as the “biggest validation” an artiste in India can receive.

“This is the biggest validation that any artiste in this country could receive. It's the highest honour. I don't think I'll be able to express how I am feeling right now.

"I am still trying to soak in and smile but from inside, I could feel that energy of an absolute newcomer for whom everything is so big, new and so special,” Yami said.

Reflecting on Article 370, she said the film had given her opportunities she had wanted to explore for years.

“‘Article 370’ gave me so much as an artiste and as an actor,” she said, adding, “It gave me everything that I have been wanting to do for the longest time. Years of hard work often trickles down to one moment and for me that was ‘Article 370’.”

The film also won the Best Feature Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards.

Kartik Aaryan shares Best Actor honour

Kartik Aaryan also had a major moment at the ceremony as he received the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for Chandu Champion.

Kartik Aryan was honoured as Best Actor at the National Film Awards for his role in Chandu Champion. Photo: PIB

He shared the honour with Mammootty, who was recognised for his performance in Bramayugam.

The joint award marked a significant recognition for Kartik, whose performance in the sports drama earned him his first National Film Award.

Directed by Kabir Khan, Chandu Champion follows the journey of India's Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, with Kartik portraying the athlete.

‘Article 370’ leads feature film honours

Yami's win was part of a strong showing for Article 370, which was named Best Feature Film. The film, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, also won the Best Actress award for Yami.

Other major feature-film honours included Best Director for Rajkumar Periasamy for Amaran, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Kalki 2898 AD, and Best Debut Film of a Director for Randeep Hooda's Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director Award. Photo: PIB

Anant Nag receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Veteran actor Anant Nag was another major highlight of the ceremony.

He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema over a career spanning more than five decades.

List of top honours

Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Anant Nag
Best Feature Film: Article 370
Best Actor: Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam)
Best Actress: Yami Gautam (Article 370)
Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran)
Best Supporting Actor: Sanjay Mishra (Bhakshak)
Best Supporting Actress: Ropashree Varkady (Mithya) and Sachana Namidass (Maharaja)
Best Debut Director: Randeep Hooda (Swatantrya Veer Savarkar)
Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki 2898 AD
Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Captain Miller
Best Children's Film: Chinna Katha Kaadu
Best Child Artist: Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, Gitashree Chakraborty, Arundev Pothula and Athish S Shetty
Best Screenplay: Sukumar (Pushpa 2) and Yogesh Deshpande (Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke)
Best Dialogue Writer: Venky Atluri (Lucky Baskhar)
Best Cinematography: Shehnad Jalaal (Bramayugam)
Best Production Design: Nitin Zihani Choudhary (Kalki 2898 AD)
Best Action Direction: Anl Arasu (Maharaja)
Best Editing: R Kalaivannan (Amaran)
Best Sound Design: Manas Choudhary (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
Best Costume Design: Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma (Pushpa 2)
Best Make-up Artist: P Ravi Kumar (Committee Kurrollu)
Best Choreography: Vijay Ganguly (Stree 2)
Best Music Direction (Songs): Shashwat Sachdev (Article 370)
Best Music Direction (Background Score): GV Prakash Kumar (Amaran)
Best Lyrics: Manoj Muntashir (Maidaan)
Best Male Playback Singer: Abhay Jodhpurkar, for Navasachi Gauri Mazi (Gharat Ganpati)
Best Female Playback Singer: Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, for Angu Vaana Konilu (ARM)

Best regional films
Assamese: Juiphool
Bengali: Chalchitra Ekhon
Garhwali: Dholi
Gujarati: Maaran
Hindi: Srikanth
Kannada: Mithya
Konkani: Mog Asum
Malayalam: Feminichi Fathima
Manipuri: Sunita
Marathi: Mukkam Post Bombilwadi
Odia: Lahari
Tamil: Raayan
Telugu: Committee Kurrollu
Tulu: IMBU
No award was given this year for Best Punjabi Film, Best Tai Phake Film or Best Garo Film.

Special mentions (feature films)
Dhanush, for Captain Miller
Suren G, for Meiyazhagan