Actors Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor prize at the 72nd National Film Awards announced Saturday [1], [2].
The awards represent the highest cinematic honors in India, recognizing the best films and performances certified in 2024. The results highlight a blend of veteran mastery and contemporary stardom within the diverse Indian film industry.
Actress Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award for her performance in the film “Article 370” [1], [2]. The film also secured the win for Best Film [1]. Following the announcement, Gautam said the project had personal significance.
“Article 370 was never just another film for me,” Gautam said [3].
The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi, arrived after an almost two-week delay [1], [2]. The event honored a wide array of technical and creative contributions to the arts.
The shared Best Actor win between Mammootty and Aaryan marks a rare instance of a tie in the top category. While some reports differed on the co-winner, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the pairing of Mammootty and Aaryan [1], [2].
These honors are determined by a government-appointed jury that evaluates films across multiple languages. The 72nd edition [1] continues the tradition of elevating regional cinema alongside mainstream Bollywood productions.
““Article 370 was never just another film for me.””
The sharing of the Best Actor award between a legendary figure like Mammootty and a modern star like Kartik Aaryan underscores the jury's attempt to balance regional cinematic excellence with commercial success. Additionally, the dominance of “Article 370” in both the Best Film and Best Actress categories suggests a trend toward rewarding politically charged, real-world narratives in the current Indian awards landscape.
