72nd National Film Awards Winners: Yami Gautam Dhar and ‘Article 370’ Take Top Honours
At the 72nd National Film Awards, Yami Gautam Dhar received her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Article 370, which also won Best Feature Film.
In a historic shift for Indian cinema, the 72nd National Film Awards stepped away from its traditional venue at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan and hosted its prestigious grand ceremony against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Amidst this historic setting, one artist stood at the absolute center of national recognition: Yami Gautam Dhar.
Winning her career's first National Film Award for Best Actress for her compelling performance as intelligence agent Zooni Haksar in Article 370, Yami’s victory represents a major milestone in her 14-year journey in Indian cinema.
The Triumph of ‘Article 370’
Article 370, a political action-thriller directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and co-produced by Yami’s husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, emerged as the biggest winner of the night, also claiming the coveted Best Feature Film award.
Playing a fiercely dedicated field officer navigating complex geopolitical tensions in Kashmir, Yami delivered a performance characterized by quiet intensity, raw emotional depth, and physical rigor. Receiving the honour from President Droupadi Murmu, Yami called the award the "biggest validation for an artist"—a recognition that validates years of choosing unconventional scripts and staying true to her craft.
"Fourteen years of trying to stay true to my craft, work with honesty, and let my performances speak for themselves... This honor feels like the culmination of a journey filled with hope, perseverance, and an unwavering love for cinema."
— Yami Gautam Dhar
Highlights of the 72nd National Film Awards
While Yami’s landmark win led the headlines, the 72nd edition celebrated creative excellence across multiple Indian languages and cinematic styles.
Category | Winner(s) | Film |
Best Feature Film | Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale | Article 370 |
Best Actress in a Leading Role | Yami Gautam Dhar | Article 370 |
Best Actor in a Leading Role | Kartik Aaryan (Joint) Mammootty (Joint) | Chandu Champion Bramayugam |
Best Director | Rajkumar Periasamy | Amaran |
Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Anant Nag | Lifetime Achievement |
Best Debut Director | Randeep Hooda | Swatantrya Veer Savarkar |
Best Music Direction (Songs) | Shashwat Sachdev | Article 370 |
A Career Defined by Quiet Resilience
Yami Gautam Dhar's path to the National Award has been distinct. From her debut in Vicky Donor (2012) to nuanced performances in A Thursday, Lost, OMG 2, and Haq, she has built a reputation for grounding complex characters with authenticity.
Her win for Article 370—a film produced under her home banner—makes the recognition deeply personal. It underscores a growing trend in Indian cinema where content-driven storytelling and hard-hitting performances are recognized over traditional star-vehicle tropes.
As Yami steps into her next chapter, this National Award stands not just as a trophy, but as a defining seal of excellence for one of Indian cinema’s most dependable actors.