72nd National Film Awards: Anant Nag Honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his five-decade career in Indian cinema.
• Mammootty won his fourth Best Actor award for Bramayugam, tying him with Amitabh Bachchan.
• Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam received their first National Film Awards for Chandu Champion and Article 370, respectively.
• Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Kalki 2898 AD won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
• The ceremony took place outside New Delhi for the first time, hosted at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 72nd National Film Awards on Tuesday at a historic ceremony in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, honoring top cinematic talents from across India for their work in 2024.

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India’s highest cinema honor—for a career spanning over five decades and more than 300 films. Addressing the audience, Anant Nag reflected on his journey, dedicating the milestone to the people of Karnataka and noting his upbringing in an ashram before entering theater and film.

Celebrating Excellence in Acting and Directing

Malayalam superstar Mammootty was awarded Best Actor for his role as Kodumon Potti in the psychological horror film Bramayugam. Marking his fourth National Film Award in the category, this win ties him with Amitabh Bachchan as one of the most decorated actors in the history of the award.

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan received his first-ever National Award for Best Actor, sharing the honor for his portrayal in the sports biopic Chandu Champion. Yami Gautam also secured her first National Award, winning Best Actress for her performance in Article 370, which additionally claimed the prize for Best Feature Film.

Among other major winners, Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Film of a Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, while Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Direction for Amaran. Director Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Official Remarks and Venue Shift

The ceremony took place at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, marking the first time the National Film Awards were hosted outside New Delhi. Defending the shift, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the government intends to promote tourist destinations and heritage across the country, encouraging citizens to look beyond political interests.

President Murmu used the platform to address film personalities directly, urging popular stars to exercise caution and avoid endorsing products harmful to public health due to their significant influence on young audiences.