72nd National Film Awards presented at Ekta Nagar; Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Anant Nag; Article 370 is Best Feature Film
On 22 September 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, and conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on veteran actor Anant Nag.
Summary
The 72nd National Film Awards honour Indian cinema of 2024 and were held at Ekta Nagar after the I&B Ministry decided to take the ceremony beyond the national capital. 'Article 370' won Best Feature Film, 'Bhangaar' Best Non-Feature Film and 'Ram-Nami' Best Documentary. Mammootty ('Bramayugam') and Kartik Aaryan ('Chandu Champion') shared Best Actor, Yami Gautam ('Article 370') won Best Actress, and Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the next edition of WAVES will be held in October 2027.
Key facts
- Venue / date
- Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, 22 Sep 2026 — awards for films of 2024
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2024)
- Anant Nag
- Best Feature Film
- Article 370; Best Non-Feature: Bhangaar; Best Documentary: Ram-Nami
- Best Actor / Actress
- Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) / Yami Gautam (Article 370)
- Instituted
- 1954
- Also announced
- Next WAVES edition in October 2027
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 at the 72nd National Film Awards on 22 September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Anant Nag
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 on veteran actor Anant Nag.
Where was the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held?
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Correct answer: B — Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat
The ceremony was held at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, after the I&B Ministry decided to take the awards beyond the national capital.
Which film won Best Feature Film at the 72nd National Film Awards?
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Correct answer: A — Article 370
'Article 370' won Best Feature Film; its lead Yami Gautam won Best Actress.
Consider the following about the 72nd National Film Awards: 1. The Best Actor award was shared by Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan. 2. Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Director award for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the I&B Ministry release of 8 September 2026.