72nd National Film Awards: Article 370 Named Best Feature Film

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards, with Article 370, starring Yami Gautam, receiving the prestigious Best Feature Film award. The announcement was made at the National Media Centre in New Delhi and was streamed live on the official YouTube channel of PIB India. The National Film Awards are regarded as India's highest honour for cinematic excellence, recognising outstanding achievements across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.

Article 370 emerged as the top winner in the feature film category after being selected by an 11-member jury chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Jayaraj. The political action drama, featuring Yami Gautam in the lead role, was recognised for its overall cinematic excellence. The annual awards also honoured exceptional contributions in acting, direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, music and several other technical and creative disciplines that contribute to filmmaking.

The 72nd edition of the National Film Awards evaluated films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Entries from across the country were reviewed by the jury, which assessed productions from various Indian languages and genres before selecting the winners. The awards continue to serve as a platform for recognising artistic merit, technical innovation and storytelling excellence in Indian cinema.

Also Read: 72nd National Film Awards: Yami Gautam Named Best Actress For Article 370

The 2024 film calendar featured a diverse mix of critically acclaimed and commercially successful productions. Among the notable films were All We Imagine As Light and Laapataa Ladies, both of which received international recognition at prestigious film festivals. Box office successes such as Pushpa 2: The Rule, Stree 2, Hanu Man, Manjummel Boys and Premalu also highlighted the strength and diversity of Indian cinema during the eligibility period.

Instituted by the Government of India, the National Film Awards celebrate excellence across multiple categories, encouraging filmmakers, actors and technicians to pursue the highest standards of creativity and craftsmanship. Winning a National Award is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious achievements in the Indian film industry, reflecting both artistic quality and national recognition for cinematic contributions.

With Article 370 securing the Best Feature Film honour, this year's awards once again showcased the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, where content-driven films continue to receive critical acclaim alongside mainstream commercial productions. The complete list of winners across acting, direction, music, technical and writing categories highlights the depth of talent within the industry and reinforces the National Film Awards' role in recognising excellence across all aspects of filmmaking.

Also Read: 72nd National Film Awards: Yami Gautam Named Best Actress For Article 370