Yami Gautam Dhar Wins Best Actress at 72nd National Film Awards, Calls It Her Biggest Honour

Yami Gautam Dhar has added a major milestone to her acting career after receiving the Best Actress award at the 72nd National Film Awards. The actress was honoured by President Droupadi Murmu during the prestigious ceremony held in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat. Yami later took to social media to express her gratitude, describing the National Award as the “biggest honour & validation” she could receive as an artist. The recognition comes for her performance in the 2024 political drama Article 370, marking a memorable moment in her journey and giving fans another reason to celebrate her work.

Sharing her reaction to the honour, Yami wrote, “This is the biggest honour & validation as an artist. Deeply humbled to have been awarded by our respected President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu ji.” Her message came in response to a post shared by the President of India featuring moments from the National Film Awards ceremony. President Murmu, while addressing the gathering, spoke about the role of Indian cinema in reflecting the country’s diverse experiences. She noted that films across languages and regions bring alive the dreams, traditions, struggles and future possibilities of people. She also highlighted the influence leading artists have on younger generations and urged them to encourage healthy and disciplined lifestyles.

Yami won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of NIA officer Zooni Haksar in Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale. The film is set against the backdrop of the events surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Yami’s character is at the centre of the film’s narrative and takes on a challenging assignment amid a politically sensitive and high-stakes situation. Her performance required a combination of intensity, determination and emotional restraint, making Zooni Haksar one of the more demanding roles in her recent filmography. The National Award now adds an important recognition to the actress’s portrayal.

Article 370 also received recognition in other categories at the 72nd National Film Awards, making the achievement even more significant for the film’s team. The movie secured the Best Feature Film award and was also recognised for Best Music Direction. The multiple honours put the spotlight on different aspects of the film, from its central performance and storytelling to its musical contribution. For Yami, however, the Best Actress award remains a particularly personal achievement as it recognises her work in carrying one of the film’s most important characters. The honour also brings renewed attention to her performance and the larger cinematic journey of Article 370.

The National Film Awards ceremony celebrated films and artists from across India, reflecting the diversity of the country’s cinema. President Murmu’s address underlined how films can connect audiences with different traditions, experiences and aspirations while also influencing the younger generation. Yami’s recognition comes at an interesting point in her career, as the actress has moved between commercial entertainers and films dealing with more serious subjects. Her performance in Article 370 allowed her to explore a character rooted in the world of intelligence and national security, and the National Award has now placed the role among the officially recognised performances of the year.

While Yami celebrates this career-defining achievement, she is already preparing for another change of genre. The actress will next be seen in the upcoming horror comedy Nayyi Navelli, which promises to take her into a completely different cinematic world from the intense political drama of Article 370. For audiences, the upcoming project will be interesting to watch following her National Award-winning performance. For now, Yami Gautam Dhar has every reason to cherish this special moment — from receiving the prestigious honour from President Droupadi Murmu to calling it the biggest validation of her journey as an artist, the award marks a memorable new chapter in her career.