72nd National Film Awards 2026: Complete Winners List Announced
The 72nd National Film Awards winners have officially been announced, celebrating outstanding achievements in Indian cinema across multiple languages and genres. This year’s awards recognized exceptional performances, direction, music, and technical excellence, with Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty sharing the Best Actor award, while veteran actress Sharmila Tagore won Best Actress.
The National Film Awards remain India’s most prestigious government-recognized film honours, celebrating artistic and technical excellence in filmmaking. The awards cover feature films, non-feature films, and writings on cinema produced across the country.
Best Actor Award Shared by Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s ceremony was the Best Actor category.
- Kartik Aaryan received the award for his outstanding performance in Chandu Champion.
- Mammootty shared the honour for his acclaimed performance in Bramayugam.
Both actors were praised for delivering powerful performances that impressed critics and audiences alike.
Sharmila Tagore Wins Best Actress
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore was honoured with the Best Actress award for her remarkable performance in Puratawn.
Her emotionally rich portrayal earned widespread appreciation and marked another milestone in her illustrious acting career spanning several decades.
Best Feature Film
The Best Feature Film award was presented to 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
The film, based on the inspiring real-life journey of an IPS officer, received critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and motivational message.
Best Director
Blessy won the Best Director award for Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life).
The film was praised for its compelling narrative, breathtaking visuals, and emotional depth, making it one of the most celebrated Indian films of the year.
Complete Winners List
Best Feature Film
- 12th Fail
Best Director
- Blessy – Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
Best Actor
- Kartik Aaryan – Chandu Champion
- Mammootty – Bramayugam
Best Actress
- Sharmila Tagore – Puratawn
Best Supporting Actor
- Vijayaraghavan – Pookkaalam
Best Supporting Actress
- Urvashi – Ullozhukku
Best Child Artist
- Master Sidharth – Kishkindha Kaandam
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
- Aattam
Best Debut Film of a Director
- Level Cross
Best Cinematography
- Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
Best Screenplay
- Ullozhukku
Best Editing
- Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
Best Music Direction
- A. R. Rahman – Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
Best Lyrics
- Manoj Muntashir
Films That Dominated the Awards
Several films received multiple honours at this year’s National Film Awards.
Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)
The Malayalam survival drama emerged as one of the biggest winners, earning awards for:
- Best Director
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Music Direction
12th Fail
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s inspirational drama secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award.
Chandu Champion
The sports drama earned Kartik Aaryan his first National Award for Best Actor.
Why the National Film Awards Matter
Presented by the Government of India, the National Film Awards recognize excellence in Indian cinema irrespective of language or commercial success.
Unlike many popular film awards, the winners are selected by an independent jury appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, ensuring a focus on artistic merit, storytelling, and technical excellence.
Winning a National Film Award is considered one of the highest honours for filmmakers, actors, musicians, and technicians in the Indian film industry.
Highlights of the 72nd National Film Awards
Some major highlights include:
- Kartik Aaryan wins his first National Award.
- Mammootty adds another prestigious honour to his celebrated career.
- Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore receives Best Actress.
- 12th Fail wins Best Feature Film.
- Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) dominates the technical and direction categories.
- Malayalam cinema performs exceptionally well across multiple categories.
Conclusion
The 72nd National Film Awards celebrated the diversity and excellence of Indian cinema by honouring exceptional performances, powerful storytelling, and outstanding technical achievements. With Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, and Sharmila Tagore taking home the top acting honours and films like 12th Fail and Aadujeevitham receiving major recognition, this year’s awards reflected the evolving strength of Indian filmmaking across regional and mainstream cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion and Mammootty for Bramayugam jointly won the Best Actor award.
2. Who won the Best Actress award?
Sharmila Tagore received the Best Actress award for her performance in Puratawn.
3. Which film won Best Feature Film?
12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, won the Best Feature Film award.
4. Who won Best Director?
Blessy won the Best Director award for Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life).
5. Which film received the most recognition?
Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) was among the biggest winners, receiving multiple awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Music Direction.
6. What are the National Film Awards?
The National Film Awards are India’s highest government-recognized honours for excellence in cinema, presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in feature films, non-feature films, and writing on cinema.