72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE Updates: Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, Yami Gautam receive Best Actor awards; Anant Nag honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

National Film Awards 2026 Winners LIVE Updates: The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 are being held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, with Anant Nag receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and winners across major categories being honoured.

National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: In a major milestone, Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar in Narmada district is hosting the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, marking a historic first. President Droupadi Murmu is conferring the awards at the ceremony currently underway at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar.

On the occasion, legendary Kannada actor Anant Nag was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honour in the field of cinema. One of the country’s most celebrated film actors, Anant Nag has appeared in more than 300 movies over a remarkable career spanning five decades and has contributed immensely to Kannada and Indian cinema. Malayalam legend Mohanlal was the last recipient of the award.

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72nd National Film Awards 2026 | When and where to watch historic ceremony live from Gujarat

The 72nd National Film Awards, celebrating the best of Indian cinema in 2024, saw Malayalam megastar Mammootty receive his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Bramayugam, tying him with Amitabh Bachchan as the most honoured in the category. Besides Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan was also named Best Actor this time for his performance in Chandu Champion.

While director Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, Yami Gautam bagged the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the same film. During the ceremony, Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) received the honour for Best Direction. Sanjay Mishra (Bhakshak), Sachana Namidass (Maharaja), and Ropashree Varkady (Mithya) were named the best supporting actors this time.

Arun Matheswaran’s Captain Miller was named the Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values, while Randeep Hooda received the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Director Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD bagged the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

While Bhangaar was named Best Non-Feature Film, Aanand L Rai received the National Film Award for Best Direction (non-feature film) for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek. Ram-Nami was named Best Documentary.

“Future editions (of the ceremony) will travel beyond the national capital to different states and cities. The ceremony at Ekta Nagar will bring together cinematic talent from across India. It will embody the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’,” a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release stated.

Live Updates
Sep 22, 2026 05:51 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Anant Nag recalls his early years as an actor

While addressing the gathering, Anant Nag recalled that he began his acting career in theatre, and appeared in about 50 plays in five years during his initial years.

Sep 22, 2026 05:41 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Anant Nag honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

During the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on Kannada cinema legend Anant Nag. One of the country's most celebrated film actors, Anant Nag has appeared in more than 300 movies over a remarkable career spanning five decades and has contributed immensely to Kannada and Indian cinema.

Sep 22, 2026 05:32 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Mammootty gets standing ovation

As he accepted his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor, Malayalam megastar Mammootty received a standing ovation. With this, Mammootty has become the most honoured in the category, tying him with Amitabh Bachchan.

Sep 22, 2026 05:30 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam honoured

In the performance categories, Malayalam megastar Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) bagged the National Film Awards for Best Actor. Article 370's Yami Gautam, meanwhile, won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Sep 22, 2026 05:11 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Shehnad Jalal wins Best Cinematography award for Bramayugam

While Shehnad Jalal won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Bramayugam, Venky Atluri bagged the National Film Award for Best Screenplay (Dialogues) for Lucky Baskhar.

Sep 22, 2026 05:01 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Dhanush wins second award

Dhanush received his second honour of the night, being presented with the National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film for his directorial venture, Raayan.

Sep 22, 2026 05:00 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Aditya Dhar, Yami Gautam interact with Mammootty

Mammootty has arrived to collect his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor in a white bandhgala kurta. While Kartik Aaryan donned a black bandhgala kurta, Dhanush wore a traditional outfit. Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar and his wife, actor Yami Gautam, were seen interacting with the Malayalam superstar on the occasion.

Sep 22, 2026 04:44 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Dhanush honoured for Captain Miller

During the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, Tamil star Dhanush won the National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film) for his performance in director Arun Matheswaran's Captain Miller.

Sep 22, 2026 04:40 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Anant Nag gets standing ovation

During his speech, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed legendary actor Anant Nag, who will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award today. Nag then got a standing ovation.

Sep 22, 2026 04:39 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says awards to be held at new venue every year

Speaking at the National Film Awards 2026 ceremony, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated his earlier statement that the event should be held at prominent tourist destinations across the country in the coming years. He also appealed to all states to nominate important tourist destinations for future editions of the awards.

Sep 22, 2026 04:31 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Aditya Dhar evades question about Dhurandhar

Director Aditya Dhar, the co-producer of Article 370, which won the Best Feature Film award, has arrived for the event in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. On the red carpet, the host asked him about Dhurandhar. But Aditya cleverly evaded the question, saying that he might come back to the National Film Awards next year if Dhurandhar manages to win.

"We are here for Article 370. We will discuss Dhurandhar, hopefully, if we come next year also, but today it's all about Article 370," he said. His wife, actor Yami Gautam, will receive the Best Actress award for the same film today. Read More

Sep 22, 2026 04:21 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Aanand L Rai wins award for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek

During the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, renowned director Aanand L Rai bagged the award for Best Direction (non-feature film) for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek.

Sep 22, 2026 04:20 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: Winners in non-feature film categories honoured

In the non-feature film categories, Shivpal Singh Kang (Parat 41°chya Magavar) and Manvir Jasrotia (NDA) bagged the National Film Awards for Best Music Direction and Best Editing, respectively. TS Hari Hara Sudhan bagged the National Film Award for Best Sound Design (non-feature film) for Blue.

Sep 22, 2026 04:14 PM IST
72nd National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: President distributes awards for Best Writings on Cinema

The award distribution has commenced with President Droupadi Murmu honouring those who won the honours for Best Writings on Cinema.

Sep 22, 2026 04:03 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Ceremony begins

The 72nd National Film Awards commenced with the national song, "Vande Mataram," followed by the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana." President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on the winners soon.

Sep 22, 2026 03:52 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Amaran, Article 370, Mithya bag most honours

In the 72nd National Film Awards, director Rajkumar Periasamy's Amaran, Aditya Suhas Jambhale's Article 370, and Sumanth Bhat's Mithya have won three awards each, the most this time.

Sep 22, 2026 03:50 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Before Gujarat, the awards were hosted outside Delhi only once

Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards have emerged as India's most prestigious honours in cinema. The awards have been hosted in New Delhi since their inception, with one notable exception. In 1970, the 17th National Film Awards were held at the University Centenary Auditorium in Chennai (then called Madras). This year, the awards are being conferred at Ekta Nagar, home to the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat.

Sep 22, 2026 03:39 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Kartik Aaryan, Dhanush skip red carpet

Actors and National Film Award winners Kartik Aaryan and Dhanush skipped the red carpet and were seen seated inside the venue together. This is the first National Film Award for Kartik and the third for Dhanush.

Sep 22, 2026 03:38 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Yami Gautam, Aditya Dhar arrive for the ceremony

Expressing hope that he gets to return to the National Film Awards ceremony next year with Dhurandhar, director Aditya Dhar said that today's ceremony is all about Article 370, for which his wife, Yami Gautam, won the National Film Award for Best Actress. On the red carpet, she said it feels great to receive "the biggest validation for any artiste in the country."

Article 370 was also named the Best Feature Film.

Sep 22, 2026 03:21 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: GV Prakash Kumar discusses his work in Amaran

"I am very honoured to be here to receive my third National Award," GV Prakash Kumar said on the red carpet as he arrived to collect his National Film Award for Best Music Direction. Opening up about his award-winning work in Amaran, he noted, "The biggest challenge was balancing patriotism, war, and an underlying love story. The tension shouldn't be lost, and neither should the love."

Sep 22, 2026 03:16 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Mammootty reveals his process as an actor

Discussing his historic fourth National Award win, Mammootty said, "It's inspirational for every performer to be recognised by the nation. Luckily, this is my fourth National Film Award for Best Actor. It's been a long journey, with many people behind me supporting me, including my directors, co-actors, and those who have stood by me. I am very happy I could entertain them for so long, and I hope I can continue for even longer. I can assure you that I will be working harder."

Revealing his acting process, Mammootty said, "I don't prepare much. Once I am on set, I get something. I don't know what magic it is. The character sketch they brought me for Bramayugam was not this. I sat with my makeup artist and costume designer for half an hour and created this."

Sep 22, 2026 03:05 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Sanjay Mishra shares the lesson his acting career taught him

When asked what his acting career taught him that film schools cannot, veteran actor Sanjay Mishra said, "I learned how to see the world and people." He will receive the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role today for his performance in Bhakshak.

Sep 22, 2026 03:01 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: 'Sardar Patel dwarves our achievements,' says Randeep Hooda

While walking the red carpet, Randeep Hooda interacted with Doordarshan National and said, "Sardar Patel dwarves our achievements." The ceremony is being held at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar.

Sep 22, 2026 02:59 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Randeep Hooda reveals why he decided to direct Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Expressing his elation at winning the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, Randeep Hooda explained why he chose to direct Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. "Many think that India got independence only because of Ahimsa. But there are many like Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh who also fought just as fiercely but didn't get as much attention. Through Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, I wanted to assert this and show Savarkar's story," he shared on the red carpet.

Sep 22, 2026 02:49 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Ashwini Vaishnaw wants to take National Film Awards across India

As Gujarat's Ekta Nagar hosts its first National Film Awards ceremony, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called for the event to be held at prominent tourist destinations across the country in the coming years. "Today, the National Film Awards ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar, where the world's tallest statue of Sardar Patel is located. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have undertaken the initiative of taking the National Film Awards to major tourist spots across the country," news agency ANI quoted Vaishnaw as saying.

"Earlier, the National Film Awards were held only inside a conference room or a hall. The National Film Awards are such an honour that all the major artists, actors, cinematographers, camera personnel, artistes and technicians from the film industry are associated with them. If we hold it at a tourist destination, naturally, the tourism destination will also benefit, and a new format of the National Film Awards will be presented to everyone. With this thought process, we are now taking the National Film Awards to tourist destinations," he added.

Sep 22, 2026 02:31 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: 'Very grateful,' says Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda will receive the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar during today's event. He arrived in Gujarat on Monday. Talking to the media at the Vadodara Airport, he reportedly said, "This is my first National Award. I am very grateful to be a part of these awards."

Following the announcement of the awards in July, he said in a statement, "Being announced as the winner of the National Award for Best Debut Director for Swatantryaveer Savarkar is a moment I'm still trying to process. This film asked more of me than anything I've ever done. The journey of this film was filled with challenges at every juncture, but I'm glad we saw it through and overcame each of those. And despite that, somehow we kept finding the strength to move forward. As an actor, co-writer and first-time director, I gave this film everything I had because I felt an immense responsibility towards telling Veer Savarkar's story with sincerity and honesty."

Sep 22, 2026 02:28 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Kartik Aaryan shares updates from Ekta Nagar

Actor Kartik Aaryan reached Gujarat's Ekta Nagar on Monday, September 21, to take part in the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, where he will receive his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Chandu Champion. During the day, he shared photos from his visit to the Statue of Unity.

Sep 22, 2026 02:07 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 Live Updates: Mammootty to receive his record fourth award today

The National Film Awards 2026 ceremony, scheduled to begin soon, will see Mammootty receive his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in director Rahul Sadasivan's Bramayugam (2024).

With this, Mammootty has become the most honoured in the category, tying him with Amitabh Bachchan.

Sep 22, 2026 01:50 PM IST
When and where to watch 72nd National Film Awards?

Gujarat's Ekta Nagar in Narmada district is set to host its first-ever National Film Awards ceremony. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, scheduled to begin at 3 pm on Tuesday, September 22. Click here to learn where you can watch the ceremony live

Sep 22, 2026 01:43 PM IST
National Film Awards 2026 ceremony to begin soon

Hello and welcome to SCREEN!

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony, celebrating the best of Indian cinema in 2024, is all set to begin soon. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the ceremony.

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