The 72nd National Film Awards honors films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. The winners have been announced on 18th July 2026. We have updated the page after the official Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announcement.
This guide covers everything about the 72nd National Film Awards: current winner status, eligibility rules from the official regulations, all categories with prize money, jury structure, expected announcement timeline, and the full results of the previous 71st edition for reference.
Table of Contents
- 72nd National Film Awards Winners: Current Status
- What Is the 72nd National Film Awards?
- Which Films Are Eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards?
- What Are the Categories and Prize Money?
- How Does the Jury Select Winners?
- When Will the 72nd National Film Awards Winners Be Announced?
- 71st National Film Awards: The Previous Edition
- Frequently Asked Questions About the 72nd National Film Awards
72nd National Film Awards Winners
The 72nd National Film Awards winners have been announced on 18th July 2026. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting received all film submissions by November 6, 2025. The jury evaluation process is underway.
This page will be updated with the complete winners list within 24 hours of the official government announcement. Bookmark this page for the fastest update on 72nd NFA results.
- Article 370 bags the Best Feature Film Award
- Kartik Aaryan & Mammootty adjudged as Best Actor in Leading Role for Chandu Champion & Bramayugam
- Yami Gautam honoured with Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370
- Randeep Hooda Makes a Winning Directorial Debut with Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
- Award for Best Non-Feature Film bagged by Bhangaar; Ram-Nami gets the award for Best Documentary
- Blockbusters Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Stree 2, and Amaran Shine at the National Film Awards
Check the complete National Film Awards winners list for all editions for results of all previous editions from 1954 to 2025.
What Is the 72nd National Film Awards?
The 72nd National Film Awards is the 72nd annual edition of India’s highest government-sponsored cinema honor, recognizing the best Indian films from the calendar year 2024 across all languages and formats.
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) administers this edition under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. NFDC replaced the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) as the administering body in 2021.
The 72nd edition follows the 71st National Film Awards, which honored films from 2023. The President of India will present the 72nd National Film Awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The 72nd edition covers 3 sections:
- Feature Films — Narrative films above 72 minutes in all Indian languages
- Non-Feature Films — Documentaries, short films, and animation
- Best Writing on Cinema — Books, film criticism, and reviews
See the complete overview in the guide to what National Film Awards are and why they matter.
Which Films Are Eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards?
Films eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards must hold a valid CBFC certificate issued between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 (both days inclusive) and must be produced as Indian films.
Eligibility Criteria for the 72nd Edition (Official Rules)
The following rules come directly from the official 72nd National Film Awards Regulations document published by NFDC:
CBFC Certification Rule: The film must hold a valid certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued within the 2024 calendar year. Films certified before January 1, 2024 or after December 31, 2024 are not eligible for this edition.
Minimum Duration Rule: Feature films must run for more than 72 minutes. Films at or below 72 minutes fall under the Non-Feature Film section.
English Subtitle Rule: All submitted films, including films made in English, must carry English subtitles. This rule applies to every language category without exception.
Citizenship Rule for Acting Awards: Acting awards at the 72nd National Film Awards are strictly for Indian citizens only. A performance by a foreign national in an Indian film does not qualify for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, or Best Supporting Actress.
Foreign Technician Rule: Foreign professionals can win technical awards. A foreign national serving as cinematographer, editor, music director, or director of an Indian film is eligible for the corresponding technical award or the Best Direction award.
OTT Film Eligibility: OTT films are eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards if they obtain CBFC certification within the 2024 calendar year. A film released directly on an OTT platform without CBFC certification is not eligible. A film released on OTT with a valid 2024 CBFC certificate is eligible.
Dubbed Film Rule: Dubbed versions of films, revised films, remade films, and re-edited versions of films that were previously submitted for the National Film Awards are NOT eligible for the 72nd edition.
Language Rule: Films in any Indian language or dialect are eligible. Films in a regional dialect require a certificate from the District Magistrate or Home Secretary confirming the dialect’s status. Silent films are also eligible.
Submission Format: Feature films must be submitted as DCP (unencrypted) or Blu-ray copies. Non-feature films and Writing on Cinema submissions may use pen drives.
Notable Indian Films from 2024 Eligible for the 72nd NFA
The following major Indian films received CBFC certification in 2024 and entered the eligibility pool for the 72nd National Film Awards:
| Film | Language | Director | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalki 2898 AD | Telugu/Hindi | Nag Ashwin | Science Fiction |
| Stree 2 | Hindi | Amar Kaushik | Horror Comedy |
| Devara: Part 1 | Telugu | Koratala Siva | Action Drama |
| Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 | Hindi | Anees Bazmee | Horror Comedy |
| Merry Christmas | Hindi/Tamil | Sriram Raghavan | Thriller |
| Article 370 | Hindi | Aditya Suhas Jambhale | Political Drama |
| Manjummel Boys | Malayalam | Chidambaram | Survival Drama |
| Aavesham | Malayalam | Jithu Madhavan | Action Comedy |
| Maharaja | Tamil | Nithilan Swaminathan | Thriller |
| Do Patti | Hindi | Shashanka Chaturvedi | Thriller |
The jury evaluates all submitted films on artistic merit, technical quality, and social relevance. Box office performance does not influence the jury’s decisions.
72nd National Film Awards, 2024 Feature Films Section
| S. No | Category of Award | Title of the Film | Awardee | Medal & Cash Prize |
| 1. | Best Feature Film | Article 370(Hindi) | Producer: Jio Studios & B62 Studios Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale | Swarna Kamal Rs. 3,00,000/- (each) |
| 2. | Best Debut Film of a Director | Swatantrya Veer Savarkar(Hindi) | Director: Randeep Hooda | Swarna Kamal Rs. 3,00,000/- |
| 3. | Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Kalki 2898 AD(Telugu) | Producer: Vyjayanthi Movies Director: Nag Ashwin Singireddy | Swarna Kamal Rs. 3,00,000/- (each) |
| 4 | Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values | Captain Miller(Tamil) | Producer: Sathya Jyothi Films Director: Arun Matheswaran | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 5. | Best Children’s Film | 35- Chinna Katha Kaadu(Telugu) | Producer: S Originals & Waltair Productions Pvt. Ltd. Director: Nanda Kishore Emani | Swarna Kamal Rs. 3,00,000/- (each) |
| 6. | Best Direction | Amaran(Tamil) | Director: Rajkumar Periasamy | Swarna KamalRs. 3,00,000/- |
| 7. | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Bramayugam(Malayalam) | Actor: Mammootty | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (shared) |
| Chandu Champion(Hindi) | Actor: Kartik Aaryan | |||
| 8. | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Article 370(Hindi) | Actress: Yami Gautam | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 9. | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Bhakshak(Hindi) | Supporting Actor: Sanjay Mishra | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 10. | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Maharaja(Tamil) | Supporting Actress: Sachana Namidass | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (shared) |
| Mithya(Kannada) | Supporting Actress: Ropashree Varkady | |||
| 11. | Best Child Artist | Mithya(Kannada) | Child Artist: Athish S Shetty | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (shared) |
| 35- Chinna Katha Kaadu(Telugu) | Child Artist: Arundev Pothula | |||
| Onko Ki Kothin(Bengali) | Child Artist: Riddhiman Banerjee Tapomoy Deb Gitashree Chakraborty | |||
| 12. | Best Male Playback Singer | Gharat Ganpati(Marathi) | Male Playback Singer: Abhay Jodhpurkar(For Song: Navasachi Gauri Mazi) | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 13. | Best Female Playback Singer | A. R. M(Malayalam) | Female Playback Singer: Vaikom Vijayalakshmi(For Song: Angu Vaana Konilu) | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 14. | Best Cinematography | Bramayugam(Malayalam) | Cinematographer: Shehnad Jalal | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 15. | Best Screenplay | i. Pushpa (The Rule Part – 02) (Telugu) | Screenplay Writer (Original): Bandreddi Sukumar | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| ii. Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke (Marathi) | Screenplay Writer (Adapted): Yogesh Deshpande | |||
| iii. Lucky Baskhar (Telugu) | Dialogue Writer: Venky Atluri | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- | ||
| 16. | Best Sound Design | Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3(Hindi) | Sound Designer: Manas Choudhury | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 17. | Best Editing | Amaran(Tamil) | Editor: R. Kalaivannan | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 18. | Best Production Design | Kalki 2898 AD(Telugu) | Production Designer: Nitin Zihani Choudhary | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 19. | Best Costume Design | Pushpa (The Rule Part – 02)(Telugu) | Costume Designer: Deepali Noor & Sheetal Sharma | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (shared) |
| 20. | Best Make-up | Committee Kurrollu(Telugu) | Make-up Artist: P Ravi Kumar | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 21. | Best Music Direction | i. Article 370 (Hindi) | Music Director (Songs): Shashwat Sachdev | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| ii. Amaran (Tamil) | Music Director (Background Music):G. V. Prakash Kumar | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- | ||
| 22. | Best Lyrics | Maidaan(Hindi) | Lyricist: Manoj Muntashir (For Song: Jaane Do) | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 23. | Best Choreography | Stree 2(Hindi) | Choreographer: Vijay Ganguly (For Song: Aaj Ki Raat) | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 24. | Best Action Direction (Stunt Choreography) | Maharaja(Tamil) | Stunt Choreographer: Anl Arasu | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| 25. | Best Feature Film in each of the language specified in the Schedule VIII of the Constitution | |||
| a | Best Assamese Film | Juiphool | Producer & Director: Jadumoni Dutta | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| b | Best Bengali Film | Chalchitra Ekhon | Producer: Anjan Dutt Production Director: Anjan Dutt | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| c | Best Gujarati Film | Maaran | Producer: Cineman Productions Limited Director: Abhishek Jain | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| d | Best Hindi Film | Srikanth | Producer: Super Cassettes Industries Pvt. Ltd.Chalk N Cheese Films Production LLP Director: Tushar Hiranandani | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| e | Best Kannada Film | Mithya | Producer: Paramvah Pictures & KRG Studios Director: Sumanth Bhat | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| f | Best Konkani Film | Mog Asum | Producer: Flowing Mandovi Films LLP R S Creations Kathputlee Arts and Films Pvt. Ltd.Director: Radheshyam Pipalwa & Agnelo Angelo Braganza | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| g | Best Malayalam Film | Feminichi Fathima | Producer: 1001 Stories & AFD Cinemas Director: Fasil Muhammed | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| h | Best Manipuri Film | Sunita | Producer: Skyline Pictures, Khuman Leipak Pictures, H. M. Production & Cultural Society Khuman Maheikol Production Director: Yumnam Ajit Singh | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| i | Best Marathi Film | Mukkam Post Bombilwadi | Producer: Vivek Films Mayasabha Karamanuk Mandali LLP Director: Paresh Mokashi | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| j | Best Odia Film | Lahari | Producer: Jhilik Motion Pictures Director: Amartya Bhattacharyya | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| k | Best Tamil Film | Raayan | Producer: Sun TV Network Limited Director: Dhanush | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| l | Best Telugu Film | Committee Kurrollu | Producer: Pink Elephant Pictures Shree Radha Damodara StudiosDirector: Yadhu Vamsee | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 26. | Best Feature Film in each of the Languages other than those specified in Schedule VIII of the Constitution | |||
| a | Best Garhwali Film | Dholi | Producer: SC Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd. Director: Dinesh P. Bhonsle | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| b | Best Tulu Film | IMBU | Producer: Pichchar Studio Director: Shivadhwaj Shetty | Rajat Kamal Rs. 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 27. | Special Mention | Captain Miller | Actor: Dhanush | Certificate |
| Meiyazhagan (Tamil) | Film Sound Mix Engineer: Suren G. | |||
72nd National Film Awards, 2024 Non-Feature Films Section
| S. No. | Category of Award | Title of the Film | Awardee | Medal & Cash Prize |
| 1. | Best Non-Feature Film | Bhangaar(Marathi & English) | Producer & Director: Sumira Roy | Swarna KamalRs. 3,00,000/- (each) |
| 2. | Best Debut Film of a Director | Angen(Santhali) | Director: Ravi Raj Murmu | Swarna KamalRs. 3,00,000/- |
| 3. | Best Biographical / Historical Reconstruction / Compilation Film | Kakori(Hindi) | Producer: KSR Brothers Minti Mishra Director: Kamlesh K Mishra | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 4. | Best Arts / Culture Film | Main Nida(Hindi) | Producer: Sampreshan Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Director: Atul Pandey | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 5. | Best Documentary | Ram-Nami(Hindi) | Producer: BBP Studio Virtual Bharat Pvt. Ltd. Director: Bharatbala Ganapathy | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 6. | Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values | Piplantri: A Tale of Eco Feminism(Hindi, Rajasthani & English) | Producer: Johnsons Suraj Films InternationalDirector: Suraj Kumar | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 7. | Best Animation Film | Touched as Water(Silent) | Producer: JB Productions Director & Animator: Joshy Benedict | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 8. | Best Short Film (Up to 30 Min) | Hamsafar(Marathi) | Producer: Anushka Motion Pictures and Entertainments Director: Abhijeet Arvind Dalvi | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- (each) |
| 9. | Best Direction | Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek(Hindi) | Director: Aanand L Rai | Swarna KamalRs 3,00,000/- |
| 10. | Best Cinematography | Life in Loom(English, Tamil, Hindi, Assamese & Bengali) | Cinematographer: Edmond Ranson | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- |
| 11. | Best Sound Design | Blue(Tamil) | Sound Designer: T S Hari Hara Sudhan | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- |
| 12. | Best Editing | NDA(Hindi) | Editor: Manvir Jasrotia | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- |
| 13. | Best Music Direction | Parat 41°chya Magavar (On the Trail of 41°)(Marathi) | Music Director: Shivpal Singh Kang | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- |
| 14. | Best Narration/ Voice Over | Little Planet: A Tale of Frogs(English) | Narrator: Soundarya Jayachandran | Rajat KamalRs 2,00,000/- |
| 15. | Best Script | Obur(Hindi & Kashmiri) | Script Writer: Faraz Ali | Rajat KamalRs. 2,00,000/- |
| 16. | Special Mention | Bhadra-Kali Natakam(Malayalam) | Director: Ananda Jyothi (Jose Antony) | Certificate |
| Chola Dora aur Sui(Hindi) | Director: Jaymin Modi & Lokesh Ghai | Certificate (each) |
72nd National Film Awards, 2024 Best Writing on Cinema
Award for Best Book on Cinema:
| S. No. | Title of the Book | Language | Name of the Author | Name of the Publisher | Medal and Cash prize |
| 1 | Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva matthu Rajakeeya | Kannada | Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty | Mirror Pusthaka | Swarna Kamal and Rs. 1,00,000/- (each) |
Award for Best Film Critic:
| S. No. | Name of Critic | Language | Medal and Cash Prize |
| 1. | Sanjeev Shrivastava | Hindi | Swarna Kamal and Rs. 1,00,000/- |
72nd National Film Awards, 2024 Jury
| CENTRAL PANEL | |
| S. No. | Name of the Jury |
| 1. | Sh. Jayaraj (Chairperson) |
| 2. | Sh. Om Raut (Member) |
| 3. | Sh. Aseem Bajaj (Member) |
| 4. | Ms. Priya Krishnaswamy (Member) |
| 5. | Sh. Rakesh Ranjan (Member) |
| 6. | Sh. Napoleon RZ Thanga (Member) |
| 7. | Ms. Meerra Chopraa (Member) |
| 8. | Ms. Sreelekha Mukherji (Member) |
| 9. | Ms. Archana Udupa (Member) |
| 10. | Sh. V N Aditya (Member) |
| 11. | Ms. G Kala (Member) |
Regional Jury
| EAST PANEL | NORTH PANEL | ||
| S. No. | Name of the Jury | S. No. | Name of the Jury |
| 1. | Sh. B S Basavaraj (Chairperson) | 1. | Sh. Akshaya Kumar Parija (Chairperson) |
| 2. | Sh. Surya Deo (Member) | 2. | Sh. Panchakshari (Member) |
| 3. | Sh. Sanjeev Rattan (Member) | 3. | Sh. Arfi Lamba (Member) |
| 4. | Sh. Tushar Kanti Bandyopadhyay (Member) | 4. | Sh. Kumar (Member) |
| 5. | Sh. Thokchom Jimmy (Member) | ||
| SOUTH I PANEL | WEST PANEL | ||
| S.No. | Name of the Jury | S. No. | Name of the Jury |
| 1. | Ms. Manju Borah (Chairperson) | 1. | Sh. Supratim Bhol (Chairperson) |
| 2. | Sh. Santhosh Damodharan (Member) | 2. | Sh. Shashi Khandare (Member) |
| 3. | Sh. Manoj Pillai (Member) | 3. | Ms. Kshitija Khandagale (Member) |
| 4. | Sh. S Muthu Ganesh (Member) | 4. | Sh. Pritesh Sodha (Member) |
| 5. | Sh. Adeep Tandon (Member) | ||
| SOUTH II PANEL | |
| S.No. | Name of the Jury |
| Ms. Gopi Desai (Chairperson) | |
| Sh. M S Prasad (Member) | |
| Ms. Prashanti Harathi (Member) | |
| Sh. Sandesh Ajri (Member) | |
NON-FEATURE FILMS JURY
| S.No. | Name of the Jury |
| Sh. Aseem Sinha (Chairperson) | |
| Sh. Kamlesh Udasi (Member) | |
| Sh. Harri Nair (Member) | |
| Sh. Kedar Gaekwad (Member) | |
| Ms. Thripthi Sundar Abhikar (Member) | |
| Sh. James Khangenbam (Member) | |
| Sh E V Ganeshbabu (Member) |
BEST WRITING ON CINEMA JURY
| Sh. A Chandrasekhar (Chairperson) | |
| Ms. Rwita Dutta (Member) | |
| Ms. Sujata Shiven (Member) |
What Are the Categories and Prize Money in the 72nd National Film Awards?
The 72nd National Film Awards offers 2 trophy types across all categories: the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for top-tier recognition and the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) for specific craft and regional categories, with prize money varying by category.
Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) Categories and Prize Money
The Swarna Kamal is the highest trophy given at the National Film Awards. The following Feature Film categories receive a Swarna Kamal:
| Category | Prize Money | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Rs 3,00,000 each | Producer and Director |
| Best Direction | Rs 3,00,000 | Director only |
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Rs 3,00,000 | Director only |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Rs 3,00,000 each | Producer and Director |
| Best Children’s Film | Rs 3,00,000 each | Producer and Director |
| Best Animation Film | Rs 3,00,000 each | Producer and Director |
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, given for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema, carries Rs 15,00,000 in prize money, a Swarna Kamal, and a shawl. This is the highest single prize amount in the National Film Awards.
For the Writing on Cinema section, the Swarna Kamal prize is Rs 1,00,000 each to the Author and Publisher of the Best Book on Cinema, and Rs 1,00,000 to the Best Film Critic.
Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) Categories and Prize Money
The Rajat Kamal covers the acting, music, technical, and regional language categories. Every Rajat Kamal winner in the Feature Film section receives Rs 2,00,000 in prize money.
Rajat Kamal Feature Film categories include:
| Category | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Best Actor | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Actress | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Supporting Actor | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Supporting Actress | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Male Playback Singer | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Screenplay (Original) | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Screenplay (Adapted) | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Music Direction | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Cinematography | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Editing | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Sound Design | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best VFX | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Film on National/Social/Environmental Values | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Best Regional Language Film (per language) | Rs 2,00,000 |
See the complete list of all National Film Award categories with past winners.
Learn more about the difference between Swarna Kamal and Rajat Kamal trophies.
How Does the Jury Select 72nd National Film Awards Winners?
The jury for the 72nd National Film Awards uses a two-tier system where Regional Panels evaluate language-specific films first, and then a Central Jury of 11 members makes all final Feature Film category decisions.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appoints all jury members independently. No government official, film producer, or commercial entity influences the jury’s decisions.
Feature Film Jury Composition: The Feature Film Central Jury for the 72nd edition has 11 members: 1 Chairperson and 10 members. These individuals come from cinema, allied arts, and humanities.
Non-Feature Film Jury Composition: The Non-Feature Film jury has 6 members: 1 Chairperson and 5 members.
Writing on Cinema Jury Composition: The Writing on Cinema jury has 2 members: 1 Chairperson and 1 member.
Mandatory Viewing Rule: Every jury member must watch each submitted film in its entirety before casting a vote. A jury member who has not watched a film cannot vote on that film. This rule protects the integrity of the selection process.
Regional Panel Process: Regional Panels evaluate films submitted in their designated languages. Each regional panel watches all language-specific entries and recommends films to the Central Jury for consideration. The Central Jury then evaluates all recommendations and selects the final winners.
Read the full breakdown of how the National Film Awards jury selection process works.
When Will the 72nd National Film Awards Winners Be Announced?
The 72nd National Film Awards winners are expected to be announced in mid-to-late 2026 based on the historical pattern of the last 5 editions, where announcements typically follow 6 to 9 months after the submission deadline.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting makes the official announcement at a press conference before the formal ceremony. The President of India then presents the awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
Timeline of Recent National Film Awards Announcements
| Edition | Films From | Submission Deadline | Announcement | Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71st | 2023 | November 2024 | August 1, 2025 | September 23, 2025 |
| 70th | 2022 | November 2023 | August 16, 2024 | October 8, 2024 |
| 69th | 2021 | November 2022 | July 24, 2023 | October 17, 2023 |
| 68th | 2020 | November 2021 | July 22, 2022 | September 30, 2022 |
| 72nd | 2024 | November 6, 2025 | July 18, 2026 | Expected late 2026 |
The 72nd NFA submission deadline closed on November 6, 2025. Following the pattern of recent editions, the announcement is expected between July and September 2026. The ceremony typically follows 6 to 8 weeks after the announcement.
Monitor the official NFDC portal at nfaindia.org for the official announcement. This page will update within 24 hours of any official declaration.
71st National Film Awards: The Previous Edition
The 71st National Film Awards honored films from the calendar year 2023, with the announcement on August 1, 2025 and the ceremony on September 23, 2025 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
Key Winners at the 71st National Film Awards
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime Achievement |
| Best Feature Film | 12th Fail | Hindi |
| Best Director | Sudipto Sen | The Kerala Story |
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan (shared) | Jawan |
| Best Actor | Vikrant Massey (shared) | 12th Fail |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji | Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway |
| Best Popular Film | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Hindi |
| Best Male Playback Singer | P V N S Rohit | Baby (Telugu) |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao | Jawan (Hindi) |
| Best Choreography | Vaibhavi Merchant | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani |
Best Regional Film Winners at the 71st National Film Awards
| Language | Best Regional Film |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery |
| Marathi | Shyamchi Aai |
| Malayalam | Ullozhukku |
| Tamil | Parking |
| Telugu | Bhagavanth Kesari |
| Bengali | Deep Fridge |
| Gujarati | Vash |
| Punjabi | Godday Godday Chaa |
| Assamese | Rongatapu 1982 |
| Kannada | Kandeelu |
| Odia | Pushkara |
Mohanlal becoming the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient at the 71st edition marked a historic moment for Malayalam cinema. The shared Best Actor award between Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey was the first shared Best Actor result in several editions.
See the 71st National Film Awards complete winners list for every category result.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 72nd National Film Awards
When Will the 72nd National Film Awards Winners Be Announced?
The 72nd National Film Awards winners are expected in mid-2026, most likely between July and September 2026, based on the pattern of recent editions. The 71st edition was announced on August 1, 2025 and the 70th was announced on August 16, 2024. This page updates within 24 hours of the official Ministry announcement.
Are OTT Films Eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards?
Yes. OTT films are eligible for the 72nd National Film Awards if they hold a valid CBFC certificate issued between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. An OTT film released without a CBFC certificate is not eligible. The National Film Awards do not distinguish between theatrical releases and OTT releases. CBFC certification is the only eligibility requirement related to release format.
How Much Prize Money Do National Film Award Winners Receive?
Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) winners receive Rs 3,00,000 each for Feature Film categories, while Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) winners receive Rs 2,00,000 each. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award carries the highest prize of Rs 15,00,000 along with a Swarna Kamal and a shawl. Writing on Cinema Swarna Kamal winners receive Rs 1,00,000. All prize amounts are as per the official 72nd National Film Awards Regulations.
Who Will Present the 72nd National Film Awards?
The President of India presents the 72nd National Film Awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The 71st edition was presented by President Droupadi Murmu on September 23, 2025. The 72nd edition ceremony date has not been officially announced as of May 2026. The ceremony follows a formal government protocol with the Minister of Information and Broadcasting also in attendance.
Can a Foreign Director Win a National Film Award?
Yes. Foreign nationals can win the Best Direction award and technical awards at the National Film Awards if they directed or contributed technically to an Indian production with a valid CBFC certificate. However, acting awards (Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress) are restricted to Indian citizens only. This rule applies to the 72nd edition as per the official regulations.
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Stay updated on the 72nd National Film Awards and explore all Indian film award ceremonies:
- Browse the complete National Film Awards winners list from all 72 editions
- Read the full guide to what National Film Awards are and why they matter
- See the 71st National Film Awards complete winners list for the previous edition
- Explore the 70th National Film Awards winners for 2022 films
- Understand all National Film Award categories explained
- Learn about the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winners list from 1969 to 2026
- Compare National Film Awards vs Filmfare Awards
- Check the National Film Awards jury selection process for how winners are chosen
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