Yami Gautam Wins Best Actress at 72nd National Film Awards for Article 370

Bollywood actress Yami Gautam has achieved a major career milestone by winning her first National Film Award. The talented star took home the highly coveted Best Actress title at the 72nd National Film Awards for her powerful performance in the 2024 political action thriller, Article 370.

Held on September 22, 2026, in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, the prestigious ceremony marked a historic first as it was hosted outside of New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan. The awards were presented by the Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

Here is everything you need to know about Yami Gautam’s big win, her heartfelt acceptance speech, and the success of Article 370.

Table of Contents

A Career-Defining Performance as Zooni Haksar

In Article 370, Yami Gautam plays Zooni Haksar, a dedicated NIA (National Investigation Agency) officer deeply involved in a covert operation in Kashmir. The film, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, is inspired by the real-life events surrounding the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019. Yami’s performance was praised for its intensity and grit.

Instead of relying on a conventional emotional arc, she anchored the film through high-stakes surveillance, interrogations, and intense action sequences. To prepare for the physically demanding role, she underwent rigorous training to master the mannerisms and physicality of an intelligence officer. Not only did Yami win Best Actress, but Article 370 also bagged the prestigious Best Feature Film award, solidifying its place as one of the most successful Indian films of 2024.

#WATCH | Kevadia, Gujarat: Actress Yami Gautam received her first National Film Award for Best Actress for the film ‘Article 370′ at the 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony.
(Source: President of India/ social media) pic.twitter.com/7hwVi6XOTK
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026

An Emotional and Grounded Acceptance

Yami Gautam, known for her grace, walked onto the stage to accept her award from President Droupadi Murmu with a traditional namaste. For the momentous occasion, the actress opted for an elegant traditional look, wearing a stunning black saree with a golden border, complemented by statement gold jhumkas and red roses in her hair.

She was accompanied by her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, who also co-produced and co-wrote Article 370. Speaking to the media after her win, an emotional Yami expressed immense gratitude and humility. “I’m still trying to soak in this moment,” she said. “It’s a great matter of pride and honour for any artist who has worked all their life”.

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A Message for Outsiders with Bollywood Dreams

Yami, who originally hails from Himachal Pradesh and started her journey with television and commercials before breaking into films like Vicky Donor, shared an inspiring message for aspiring actors trying to make it in Mumbai.

“I say this on behalf of all of us who come to the city with dreams. You don’t know what life has for you. Aap mehnat karte rahiye, aap achha kaam karte rahiye, aur ek na ek din aisa hoga (Keep working hard, keep doing good work, and one day, this will happen for sure)”.

Despite winning the highest cinematic honour in the country, Yami noted that she still has a long way to go, stating, “I have a lot to learn in my journey, lots of work to do”.

Key Highlights of the 72nd National Film Awards

Yami Gautam’s win was one of the top headlines of the event. Here is a quick look at some of the other major winners from the 2026 ceremony:

Best Actor: Shared by Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Malayalam legend Mammootty (Bramayugam).
Best Director: Rajkumar Periasamy for the Tamil film Amaran.
Best Feature Film: Article 370.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Conferred upon veteran actor Anant Nag.

Conclusion

Yami Gautam’s National Award victory is a testament to her versatile acting prowess and her journey from a young outsider to one of the most critically acclaimed actresses in Indian cinema. Her portrayal of Zooni Haksar in Article 370 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest performances of her career. As Yami herself beautifully put it, this award is not the end of a dream, but rather a reminder that “meaningful stories will always find their way to people’s hearts”.