Kartik Aaryan Wins Best Actor at 72nd National Film Awards

The actor lifted the Best Actor trophy for Chandu Champion, while Yami Gautam and composer GV Prakash Kumar also took home top honours in Gujarat.

Kartik Aaryan stood on a glittering stage in Gujarat on Tuesday, clutching the Best Actor trophy for his role in Chandu Champion. President Droupadi Murmu handed him the award, and the actor’s grin was as wide as the nearby River Narmada. The ceremony, the 72nd edition of India’s premier film honours, marked the first time the event was staged in the state, turning the usually hushed hall into a showcase of regional pride.

"I have received my first National Award for Chandu Champion. I am truly, incredibly happy — my entire family is overjoyed, and our whole team is thrilled," Aaryan said, his voice echoing through the auditorium. The sentiment was shared by his crew, who later posted selfies with the towering Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest monument, in the background.

More Wins, More Firsts

Yami Gautam, draped in a classic black saree, collected the Best Actress prize for Article 370, a film that also snagged the Best Feature Film title. She arrived with husband and producer Aditya Dhar, both beaming as the crowd applauded the political drama’s impact.

Composer GV Prakash Kumar, meanwhile, celebrated his third National Film Award, this time for Best Background Music on Amaran. "This is the first time I'm coming to the city. I'm very excited to see the Statue of Unity, and this is my third National Film Award. So, I'm very happy to receive it," he told reporters, before sampling the local thepla.

Veteran Malayalam star Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour for his performance in Bramayugam, underscoring the ceremony’s pan‑Indian scope. Other highlights included Rajkumar Periasamy’s Best Director win for Amaran and Randeep Hooda’s debut‑director accolade for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

The awards covered the whole spectrum of Indian cinema. Srikanth, starring Rajkummar Rao, took home Best Hindi Feature Film, while Kalki 2898 AD was named the Popular Movie Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Technical categories shone too: Vijay Ganguly earned Best Choreography for Stree 2, and Manoj Muntashir bagged Best Lyrics for Maidaan.

Industry insiders noted the significance of holding the ceremony in Gujarat. The state’s push for cultural tourism dovetailed with the film fraternity’s desire for fresh backdrops, and the Statue of Unity quickly became a photo‑op staple for winners.

Social media lit up with clips of Aaryan’s acceptance speech and the trio’s post‑ceremony snaps at the monument. Fans praised the actor’s humility, while critics highlighted the growing recognition of regional stories like Article 370.

With the awards now behind them, the winners face the next hurdle: translating their national acclaim into box‑office success and streaming deals. For Aaryan, the buzz could mean bigger scripts. For Gautam, it may open doors to more politically charged roles.

The National Film Awards have once again proved they’re more than a trophy cabinet – they’re a barometer of India’s evolving cinematic landscape, and this year’s Gujarat edition added a fresh chapter to that story.