The 72nd National Film Awards honored "Article 370" as the Best Feature Film during the 2026 ceremony in India [1].
These awards represent the highest cinematic honors in India, recognizing artistic excellence across multiple regional languages and genres. The results highlight a blend of commercial success and critical acclaim within the national film industry.
In a rare occurrence, the Best Actor award was shared between Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan [1]. The decision to split the top acting honor acknowledges two distinct performances that the jury deemed equally meritorious.
Yami Gautam received the award for Best Actress [1]. Her win marks a significant achievement in a year characterized by strong competitive performances from across the country.
Beyond the top acting categories, the technical and writing achievements were also recognized. "Pushpa 2" won the award for Best Screenplay [2]. This recognition underscores the film's narrative structure and writing quality, elements that contributed to its overall impact.
The 72nd edition of the awards continues a long tradition of celebrating the diversity of Indian cinema [1]. By rewarding both regional powerhouses and mainstream hits, the awards reflect the evolving tastes of the Indian audience and the standards of the national jury.
“"Article 370" won Best Feature Film.”
The shared Best Actor award and the victory of a politically themed film like "Article 370" suggest a jury prioritizing both versatile performance ranges and socially relevant narratives. The inclusion of "Pushpa 2" in the screenplay category further indicates that high-budget spectacles are successfully bridging the gap between mass appeal and technical merit in the eyes of the national academy.
