Mumbai, September 2026 : Actor Yami Gautam Dhar, who has been honoured with the Best Actress award at the 72nd National Film Awards for her performance in Article 370, said the recognition has brought out the excitement and nervousness of a newcomer despite her years of experience in the film industry.
Yami attended the National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday with her husband and filmmaker Aditya Dhar. Speaking to Prasar Bharati, the actor described the National Award as the highest validation an artiste can receive in India and said she was still trying to absorb the significance of the moment.
“This is the biggest validation that any artiste in this country could receive. It's the highest honour. I don't think I'll be able to express how I am feeling right now,” Yami said.
She added that although she had spent years working as an actor, the recognition had made her feel like a newcomer experiencing something entirely new.
“I am still trying to soak in and smile but from inside, I could feel that energy of an absolute newcomer for whom everything is so big, new and so special,” she said.
Yami received the honour for her performance in Article 370, which portrays events surrounding the planning and aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
Reflecting on the significance of the film in her career, the actor said Article 370 gave her an opportunity to explore the kind of role she had been seeking for years.
“It gave me everything that I have been wanting to do for the longest time. Years of hard work often trickles down to one moment and for me that was ‘Article 370’,” she said.
The 72nd National Film Awards, recognising achievements in Indian cinema during 2024, are being presented on September 22, 2026, at Kevadia in Gujarat. President Droupadi Murmu is conferring the awards at the ceremony.
Article 370 has also been named Best Feature Film, making the film one of the major winners at this year’s awards. Yami’s Best Actress honour recognises her performance in the film.
Malayalam cinema veteran Mammootty has received the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Bramayugam. He shares the honour with actor Kartik Aaryan, who has been recognised for his performance in the sports biopic Chandu Champion.
Rajkumar Periasamy has won Best Direction for Amaran, while actor Randeep Hooda has been honoured as Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Meanwhile, Kalki 2898 AD has won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
For Yami, the recognition marks a significant milestone in a career spanning several years and places her among the artistes honoured at one of Indian cinema’s most prestigious award ceremonies.
