Blab Entertainment
Article 370 Wins Best Feature Film; Rajkumar Periasamy Honored as Best Director at 72nd National Film Awards
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, the 72nd National Film Awards were unveiled, placing the Hindi political thriller Article 370 at the pinnacle as Best Feature Film. The film, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, chronicles an intelligence officer’s high‑stakes mission amid the 2019 revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Lead actress Yami Gautam, who portrays the officer, also captured the Best Actress award.
Article 370 hit theatres worldwide on 23 February 2024 and earned more than ₹110 crore on a ₹20 crore budget. Critics praised its direction, narrative pace, and Gautam’s performance, while noting the film’s overt political framing. The award signals a sustained appetite for politically charged cinema in India and underscores the film’s commercial and artistic resonance.
In the Tamil segment, director Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Director honor for Amaran, a biographical war drama that follows Major Mukund Varadarajan, a recipient of the Ashok Chakra. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi and was released on 31 October 2024, aligning with Diwali celebrations. Amaran also earned accolades for Best Background Music and Best Editing, highlighting its technical strengths.
The National Film Awards, administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, are the country’s most prestigious film honours. They recognize artistic and technical excellence across feature, non‑feature, and writing categories for films certified in the preceding year.
Amaran’s distribution strategy illustrates evolving models for regional cinema. After an extended theatrical run, the film was released on Netflix on 5 December 2024, a move that reflects the growing importance of streaming platforms for Tamil releases. The film’s success at the awards, coupled with its dual‑platform presence, showcases how regional productions can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial viability.
The ceremony, held in New Delhi, was presided over by the President of India, who presented the awards. The event also inaugurated the National Film Festival, where the winning films are screened for the public. Other categories were celebrated, including Best Actor awards jointly awarded to Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan.
These recognitions underscore the diversity of Indian cinema, spanning multiple languages and genres. They also reaffirm the National Film Awards’ role as a benchmark for quality and innovation within the industry.
Looking forward, Article 370 and Amaran will remain available through their respective distribution channels. Amaran’s Netflix premiere is slated for December 2024, while Article 370 will continue to circulate in theatres and on digital platforms. The awards are expected to influence future projects, encouraging filmmakers to pursue both artistic ambition and commercial success.
In sum, the 72nd National Film Awards not only honour individual achievements but also chart the trajectory of Indian cinema’s growth and its engagement with complex social and political narratives.
Article 370 hit theatres worldwide on 23 February 2024 and earned more than ₹110 crore on a ₹20 crore budget. Critics praised its direction, narrative pace, and Gautam’s performance, while noting the film’s overt political framing. The award signals a sustained appetite for politically charged cinema in India and underscores the film’s commercial and artistic resonance.
In the Tamil segment, director Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Director honor for Amaran, a biographical war drama that follows Major Mukund Varadarajan, a recipient of the Ashok Chakra. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi and was released on 31 October 2024, aligning with Diwali celebrations. Amaran also earned accolades for Best Background Music and Best Editing, highlighting its technical strengths.
The National Film Awards, administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, are the country’s most prestigious film honours. They recognize artistic and technical excellence across feature, non‑feature, and writing categories for films certified in the preceding year.
Amaran’s distribution strategy illustrates evolving models for regional cinema. After an extended theatrical run, the film was released on Netflix on 5 December 2024, a move that reflects the growing importance of streaming platforms for Tamil releases. The film’s success at the awards, coupled with its dual‑platform presence, showcases how regional productions can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial viability.
The ceremony, held in New Delhi, was presided over by the President of India, who presented the awards. The event also inaugurated the National Film Festival, where the winning films are screened for the public. Other categories were celebrated, including Best Actor awards jointly awarded to Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan.
These recognitions underscore the diversity of Indian cinema, spanning multiple languages and genres. They also reaffirm the National Film Awards’ role as a benchmark for quality and innovation within the industry.
Looking forward, Article 370 and Amaran will remain available through their respective distribution channels. Amaran’s Netflix premiere is slated for December 2024, while Article 370 will continue to circulate in theatres and on digital platforms. The awards are expected to influence future projects, encouraging filmmakers to pursue both artistic ambition and commercial success.
In sum, the 72nd National Film Awards not only honour individual achievements but also chart the trajectory of Indian cinema’s growth and its engagement with complex social and political narratives.
