Conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday evening at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, the moment carried double emotional resonance: Article 370 also swept the marquee Best Feature Film award, received jointly on stage by her husband and co-producer, filmmaker Aditya Dhar.
As Gautam walked up to the podium draped in an elegant black silk saree with intricate gold borders and white floral accents, a beaming Dhar was seen cheering and applauding proudly from the front row.
On Stage at Ekta Nagar: Grace, Tradition & Pride
Marking the historic first time the National Film Awards were held outside New Delhi, Gautam’s arrival on stage drew warm applause from fellow awardees Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, and industry delegates:
Traditional Greeting: Radiating composure, Gautam greeted the dais with a traditional namaste before accepting the silver lotus medal and citation from President Murmu.
The Personal Angle: The win carries heightened emotional weight because Article 370 was produced under the couple’s home banner, B62 Studios (alongside Jio Studios). Gautam shot the intense high-altitude combat and tactical interrogation sequences during the early stages of her pregnancy in late 2023, making the project deeply personal.
Yami Gautam on Her Win: "Still an Absolute Newcomer at Heart"
Speaking to media crews after the ceremony, an emotional Gautam reflected on the recognition and her 14-year transition from television to independent cinema:
“I am still trying to soak in this moment. It is a great matter of pride and honour for any artist who has worked all their life. And I say this on behalf of all of us who come to Mumbai with dreams—you don't know what life has in store 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 it happens]. I don’t know where I have reached, but in my journey, there is still so much left to learn and so much work to do. Article 370 gave me so much as an actor. Creatively, the energy felt like that of an absolute newcomer for whom everything is brand new. This is the highest honour presented to you by your country.”
Aditya Dhar's Double Triumph: "We Weren't Chasing Accolades"
For Aditya Dhar—who previously won the Best Director National Award for Uri: The Surgical Strike—the evening cemented his standing as one of Hindi cinema’s most formidable producers:
Three National Honors: Article 370 bagged three major national trophies: Best Feature Film, Best Actress (Yami Gautam), and Best Music Direction (Shashwat Sachdev).
Dhar's Reaction: “Winning three National Awards for Article 370 is a moment that is difficult to put into words. It is humbling and deeply emotional. When we set out to make this film, we weren't chasing accolades. We were driven by conviction—to tell a story with honesty, courage, and sincerity. To see that journey resonate with audiences and receive the highest honour in Indian cinema is truly overwhelming.”
The 'Dhurandhar' Tease: When journalists on the red carpet inevitably asked Dhar about his multi-star action epic Dhurandhar (starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan), Dhar smiled and quipped:
“We are here for Article 370 today, and we will discuss Dhurandhar hopefully next year.”
Trade & Critical Verdict:
In an industry where high-profile female headliners are frequently relegated to supporting romantic roles in big-budget actioners, Yami Gautam’s National Award for Article 370 validates her decade-long strategy of backing grounded, high-concept narratives (A Thursday, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, OMG 2). Coupled with the film’s critical and commercial success—grossing ₹110 Crore worldwide against a modest ₹20 Crore budget—her win establishes her as one of Hindi cinema’s most bankable dramatic performers.
