72nd National Film Awards: Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Mammootty win big

The 72nd National Film Awards were announced on Saturday, bringing recognition to a mix of mainstream stars and critically acclaimed performers. Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty were among the big winners. The political drama 'Article 370' also had a strong showing, winning multiple awards.

Top acting honours

Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor award for his role in a film widely speculated to be a biographical drama. The jury praised his 'transformative performance' and 'emotional depth'. Yami Gautam took home the Best Actress award for her work in a thriller that dealt with mental health issues.

Mammootty, a three-time National Award winner, bagged the Best Actor (Malayalam) for his nuanced portrayal of a retired teacher in a family drama. His win was met with applause from the Malayalam film industry, which also saw several technical awards go to films from the state.

'Article 370' sweeps political category

The film 'Article 370', which chronicles the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, won the Best Film on National Integration. It also won Best Screenplay (Original), with the writers being praised for their 'tight narrative and balanced storytelling'.

The film had sparked debate upon its release last year, with some critics calling it a government-backed propaganda piece. Its clean sweep at the National Awards has once again brought the political content of the film under discussion.

Other notable winners

The Best Feature Film award went to a Marathi-language drama about caste dynamics in rural Maharashtra. The Best Director award was won by a Bengali filmmaker for a period piece set during the Naxalite movement.

In the popular category, the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment was awarded to a Telugu action-comedy that was a box office hit. The Best Music Direction (Songs) went to a Tamil composer for his work in a romantic musical.

The Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards went to a veteran character actor from Bollywood and a young actress from Assamese cinema, respectively. The jury noted that the supporting performances 'elevated the films they were part of'. The Best Child Artist award was given to a 10-year-old boy from a Kannada film.

What happens next

The awards ceremony is expected to be held in New Delhi later this year. The winners will receive a cash prize of ₹1 crore for Best Feature Film and ₹2 lakh for acting categories, along with a medal and certificate. The full list of winners is available on the official website of the Directorate of Film Festivals.