The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Kevadia, Gujarat, turned into a star-studded celebration as some of Bollywood’s finest talent took home top honors. Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and Randeep Hooda were among the big winners, with each star taking to social media to express their gratitude after receiving their accolades from President Droupadi Murmu.
Kartik Aaryan, who secured his first-ever National Award for his powerful performance in ‘Chandu Champion’, chose a spiritual start to his celebrations. The actor visited the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai to seek blessings, posing with his trophy and writing, “My Sukh-karta dukh-harta. Blessed beyond words. Thank you bappa!” Meanwhile, Yami Gautam, recognized for her stellar work in ‘Article 370’, penned an emotional tribute to her husband Aditya Dhar and the entire team behind the film. Reflecting on her journey, Yami shared her overwhelming sense of gratitude, crediting the project for offering her the “role of a lifetime” and thanking her family for their unwavering support.
Randeep Hooda, who won the Best Debut Film of a Director award for his biographical drama ‘Swantantrya Veer Savarkar’, attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Lin Laishram. In a heartfelt post, the actor dedicated the win to his team and the audience who have supported his two-decade-long career. He noted that the experience was made even more profound by having his family by his side, describing the moment as a special milestone in his life.
The prestigious event also recognized other industry stalwarts, including Dhanush, Mammootty, Aanand L Rai, and Sanjay Mishra for their contributions to cinema, while veteran actor Anant Nag was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The ceremony served as a grand showcase of the diverse and impactful storytelling currently driving Indian cinema forward.