The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, with President Droupadi Murmu conferring the awards on the winners. The event celebrated films across 34 languages and recognised excellence in Indian cinema. Veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema.
What the awards covered
The ceremony recognised films submitted across multiple language categories. The Ministry received 400 feature films in 34 languages and 161 non-feature films in 24 languages. A total of 22 feature film awards and 23 non-feature film awards were presented.
Major award winners included:
- Best Feature Film: Article 370
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (shared): Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion
- Best Actress in a Leading Role: Yami Gautam for Article 370
- Best Direction: Rajkumar Periasamy for Amaran
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kalki 2898 AD
- Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values: Captain Miller
The awards also recognised films in languages beyond the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, including Garhwali, Tulu and Santhali cinema. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting announced that the next edition of WAVES will be held in October 2027.
What this means for you
The awards showcase that Indian cinema across all regional languages receives national recognition. The decision to hold the awards in Gujarat instead of Delhi signals that the government intends to rotate future ceremonies to different states and tourist destinations, making the celebration more accessible across India. The President also called on successful artists to promote healthy lifestyles and avoid endorsing harmful substances, emphasising their responsibility as role models for young people.