Actress Yami Gautam received her maiden National Film Award for Best Actress at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. President Droupadi Murmu presented the honour to her for her portrayal of intelligence officer Zooni Haksar in the political action-thriller Article 370.
The presentation marked a historic moment for Indian cinema as it was the first time in over seven decades that the ceremony took place outside New Delhi, held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity.
Dressed in a traditional black saree with a golden zari border, the actor expressed her gratitude with a traditional namaste while accepting the accolade on stage.
Her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, watched from the audience and later joined her in celebration as he received the Best Feature Film award for the same project in his capacity as its producer. This double victory cemented the status of Article 370 as one of the most recognized projects from the 2024 eligibility cycle.
Career Milestone for Yami Gautam
Reflecting on her win, the actor stated that the recognition is deeply personal and emotional since the film was produced under her home banner, B62 Studios. She described the project as a story she deeply believed in from the beginning, noting that years of hard work often culminate in a single defining moment. The film, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, explores the complex events surrounding the planning and aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
The political thriller achieved significant commercial success alongside its critical acclaim. Produced on a modest budget of around twenty crore rupees, it went on to earn nearly one hundred and ten crore rupees worldwide after its theatrical release before continuing its successful run on digital platforms. Despite facing opposition from certain critics regarding its themes, the recognition from the national jury has validated the creative efforts of the entire team.
A Night of Triple Honors
In total, Article 370 secured three major awards at the national presentation. Along with the honors for Best Actress and Best Feature Film, composer Shashwat Sachdev was recognized with the award for Best Music Direction for the songs in the film. The creative achievements emphasize the focus of the production house as it expands its upcoming cinematic projects.
The ceremony also honored several other prominent figures from the film industry. The Best Actor accolade was shared by veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty for Bramayugam and Hindi film actor Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.
Meanwhile, the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema was presented to veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated all the winners during the event, recognizing the hard work of the creative and technical teams working behind the silver screen.
Other major directors were also honored during the event, with Rajkumar Periasamy winning the Best Direction award for the Tamil film Amaran. Actor Randeep Hooda received the award for Best Debut Film of a Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The event concluded with an address highlighting the growing diversity and cultural representation across regional cinema in India.