Actor Yami Gautam has described her National Film Award win as a “true validation” of her work, saying the recognition has also brought an added sense of responsibility as she chooses future projects. Yami, who recently won the Best Actress award for her performance in Article 370, said the honour has encouraged her to work harder, explore more diverse roles and continue earning the trust and appreciation of audiences. She was speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday evening at the trailer launch of her upcoming horror-comedy Nayyi Navelli, in which she plays a mysterious bride with superpowers.

Yami said receiving the National Film Award was a significant moment for her as an actor because the honour recognises work across languages and formats in Indian cinema. She described the award as something she accepted with humility, while acknowledging that the recognition had changed the way she viewed her responsibilities as an artist. According to the actor, the award has reinforced her desire to take on varied characters rather than remain confined to a particular type of role. She also said she continues to believe that there is much more for her to learn despite the recognition.

The actor won the Best Actress award for her performance in Article 370, a film centred on the events surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Yami's performance had placed her at the centre of the film, which combined political themes with elements of action and drama. The National Film Award added another major recognition to her career and marked an important milestone in her journey in Hindi cinema. Speaking about the honour, Yami acknowledged the significance of being recognised at a national level while emphasising that she did not view the award as an endpoint.

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Yami also reflected on her journey in the film industry and the appreciation she has received from audiences. She said coming from a small town made the recognition particularly meaningful and that she remained conscious of the distance she had travelled in her career. Rather than viewing the award as confirmation that she had reached the peak of her profession, the actor said she still had a long way to go. Her comments reflected an intention to use the recognition as motivation to continue developing as a performer and to make choices that allow her to explore different aspects of acting.

Her next release, Nayyi Navelli, will see  Yami take on a role that is markedly different from the political drama of Article 370. The upcoming horror-comedy features her as a mysterious new bride who possesses supernatural powers, bringing together elements of humour, fantasy and horror. The film's trailer was launched in Mumbai on Wednesday, giving audiences a first look at Yami's character and the unusual premise. Her decision to follow Article 370 with a genre-driven project also fits with her stated desire to pursue diverse roles and experiment with different storytelling formats.

For Yami, the National Film Award has therefore become both a moment of recognition and a motivation for the next stage of her career. She said the honour represented validation for her work but also increased the responsibility she feels towards her craft and audience. As she prepares for Nayyi Navelli, the actor is now looking to build on the recognition by taking on challenging and varied assignments. While the award marks a significant achievement, Yami stressed that she remains focused on learning, working harder and continuing to earn the respect that has accompanied her career so far.

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