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Kartik Aaryan Wins National Film Award for Best Actor for Chandu Champion, Sharing the Honour with Mammootty
On July 18, 2026, the 72nd National Film Awards in New Delhi announced Kartik Aaryan as the winner of the Best Actor award, a distinction he shares with Malayalam legend Mammootty. Aaryan earned the honor for his portrayal of Indian Paralympic gold‑medallist Murlikant Petkar in the 2024 biographical sports drama Chandu Champion.
Aaryan’s journey into Hindi cinema began with Pyaar Ka Punchnama in 2011, after which he built a varied portfolio that includes the box‑office hit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) and the thriller Freddy (2022). The 2025 Filmfare Award for Best Actor, also awarded for Chandu Champion, marked his first major industry accolade. The National Film Awards, the country’s most prestigious cinematic honors, historically recognize performances that blend artistic excellence with cultural resonance.
Chandu Champion was written, directed and produced by Kabir Khan under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Principal photography ran from July 2023 to January 2024, with shoots in London, Wai and Jammu & Kashmir. The film premiered on June 14, 2024, and received a mix of positive and mixed reviews. Critics lauded Aaryan’s physical transformation and emotional depth, although the film’s commercial performance settled at ₹88.73 crore worldwide. At the 70th Filmfare Awards, the film earned four nominations and secured Best Actor for Aaryan.
The ceremony in New Delhi, traditionally presided over by the President of India, also honored Yami Gautam with Best Actress for Article 370, which was named Best Feature Film. The National Film Awards’ decision to split the Best Actor category reflects a growing trend of recognizing diverse performances across languages and genres.
Sajid Nadiadwala, founder of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, posted a heartfelt congratulation on the banner’s social‑media channel: "A huge, heartfelt congratulations to Kartik Aaryan on winning the National Award for Best Actor for Chandu Champion. Watching Kartik win his first National Award for this film is a moment of pure joy and immense pride for all of us at Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. What Kartik did on screen was nothing short of magic… A massive thank you to Kabir Khan for directing this beautiful story with so much heart, and to every single technician who brought the vision to life. Thank you to everyone who loved our film and stood by our Champion. This is a victory we will cherish and celebrate for a very long time."
The award marks a significant milestone for Aaryan, who had previously received a Filmfare nomination but had not yet been honored with a National Film Award. Industry observers note that the recognition could broaden his appeal beyond mainstream commercial cinema and open doors to more nuanced roles. Aaryan has already hinted at a potential collaboration with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment on an action thriller directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, signaling a continued partnership.
Mammootty’s win for Bramayugam underscores the festival’s commitment to celebrating excellence in Malayalam cinema, while Aaryan’s success highlights the rising prominence of biographical sports dramas in Hindi film. As the Indian film industry looks ahead to 2027, the 72nd National Film Awards will likely influence casting decisions and production priorities. Aaryan’s achievement may encourage producers to invest in projects that blend athletic narratives with strong character studies, and the critical acclaim for Chandu Champion—despite its modest box‑office returns—demonstrates that artistic recognition can coexist with commercial risk.
In the months ahead, Aaryan is slated to appear in a new Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment project, and Kabir Khan is expected to resume work on a biopic about a contemporary Indian sports figure. The National Film Awards ceremony remains a key barometer of the industry’s evolving standards, and Aaryan’s win will be referenced in discussions of talent recognition for years to come.
Aaryan’s journey into Hindi cinema began with Pyaar Ka Punchnama in 2011, after which he built a varied portfolio that includes the box‑office hit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018) and the thriller Freddy (2022). The 2025 Filmfare Award for Best Actor, also awarded for Chandu Champion, marked his first major industry accolade. The National Film Awards, the country’s most prestigious cinematic honors, historically recognize performances that blend artistic excellence with cultural resonance.
Chandu Champion was written, directed and produced by Kabir Khan under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Principal photography ran from July 2023 to January 2024, with shoots in London, Wai and Jammu & Kashmir. The film premiered on June 14, 2024, and received a mix of positive and mixed reviews. Critics lauded Aaryan’s physical transformation and emotional depth, although the film’s commercial performance settled at ₹88.73 crore worldwide. At the 70th Filmfare Awards, the film earned four nominations and secured Best Actor for Aaryan.
The ceremony in New Delhi, traditionally presided over by the President of India, also honored Yami Gautam with Best Actress for Article 370, which was named Best Feature Film. The National Film Awards’ decision to split the Best Actor category reflects a growing trend of recognizing diverse performances across languages and genres.
Sajid Nadiadwala, founder of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, posted a heartfelt congratulation on the banner’s social‑media channel: "A huge, heartfelt congratulations to Kartik Aaryan on winning the National Award for Best Actor for Chandu Champion. Watching Kartik win his first National Award for this film is a moment of pure joy and immense pride for all of us at Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. What Kartik did on screen was nothing short of magic… A massive thank you to Kabir Khan for directing this beautiful story with so much heart, and to every single technician who brought the vision to life. Thank you to everyone who loved our film and stood by our Champion. This is a victory we will cherish and celebrate for a very long time."
The award marks a significant milestone for Aaryan, who had previously received a Filmfare nomination but had not yet been honored with a National Film Award. Industry observers note that the recognition could broaden his appeal beyond mainstream commercial cinema and open doors to more nuanced roles. Aaryan has already hinted at a potential collaboration with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment on an action thriller directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, signaling a continued partnership.
Mammootty’s win for Bramayugam underscores the festival’s commitment to celebrating excellence in Malayalam cinema, while Aaryan’s success highlights the rising prominence of biographical sports dramas in Hindi film. As the Indian film industry looks ahead to 2027, the 72nd National Film Awards will likely influence casting decisions and production priorities. Aaryan’s achievement may encourage producers to invest in projects that blend athletic narratives with strong character studies, and the critical acclaim for Chandu Champion—despite its modest box‑office returns—demonstrates that artistic recognition can coexist with commercial risk.
In the months ahead, Aaryan is slated to appear in a new Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment project, and Kabir Khan is expected to resume work on a biopic about a contemporary Indian sports figure. The National Film Awards ceremony remains a key barometer of the industry’s evolving standards, and Aaryan’s win will be referenced in discussions of talent recognition for years to come.
