72nd National Film Awards: ‘Raayan,’ ‘Amaran’ win top honours; ‘Meiyazhagan,’ ‘Maharaja’ miss out

The 72nd National Film Awards were announced on Saturday, with ‘Raayan’ and ‘Amaran’ taking home the top honours. The ceremony, which recognises excellence in Indian cinema, saw a diverse range of winners across categories.

Kartik Aaryan and veteran actor Mammootty shared the Best Actor award for their performances in ‘Chandu Champion’ and ‘Kaathal – The Core’, respectively. Yami Gautam won Best Actress for her role in ‘Article 370’, which was also named Best Film.

Top honours and major winners

‘Raayan,’ directed by Dhanush, and ‘Amaran,’ starring Sivakarthikeyan, bagged the top honours at the ceremony. The two films were recognised for their outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, though the specific categories were not immediately disclosed by the jury.

‘Article 370’ was adjudged the Best Film, with Yami Gautam’s performance earning her the Best Actress award. The film, which deals with the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, was praised for its storytelling and performances.

Acting honours shared

Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty were jointly awarded the Best Actor prize. Aaryan was recognised for his portrayal of Murlikant Petkar in ‘Chandu Champion’, while Mammootty won for his role in ‘Kaathal – The Core’, a film exploring themes of identity and relationships.

The Best Actor category saw stiff competition, with several strong performances from across Indian cinema. The jury’s decision to share the award highlighted the exceptional quality of both films.

Yami Gautam’s win for ‘Article 370’ was widely anticipated, given the critical acclaim the film received. Her performance was described as nuanced and powerful, anchoring a politically charged narrative.

Notable omissions

‘Meiyazhagan’ and ‘Maharaja,’ two films that had generated significant buzz ahead of the awards, missed out on marquee categories. The snub surprised many industry observers, who had expected the films to feature prominently in the acting and directing categories.

‘Meiyazhagan,’ directed by C. Prem Kumar, and ‘Maharaja,’ starring Vijay Sethupathi, were both critically acclaimed but failed to secure nominations in the top-tier categories.

Other key winners

The awards also recognised talent across regional cinema. Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Bengali films featured prominently in the winners' list. The Best Director award went to a filmmaker whose work was noted for its visual storytelling and narrative depth.

Technical categories, including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Sound Design, were awarded to films that demonstrated excellence in craft. The jury commended the growing technical sophistication of Indian cinema.

The complete list of winners is expected to be released by the Directorate of Film Festivals in the coming days. Industry insiders say the awards reflect a broadening of tastes, with regional cinema increasingly competing on equal footing with mainstream Bollywood productions.

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held later this year. The event will bring together winners, filmmakers, and industry veterans to celebrate another year of Indian cinema.