Yami Gautam has received her first National Film Award for her performance in Article 370. The actor was honoured in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category at the 2026 National Film Awards ceremony, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the award certificates to the winners.
Yami Gautam has added a major national honour to her career with her first National Film Award.
The actor was recognised for her performance as NIA agent Zooni Haksar in the 2024 political drama Article 370. The film also received the award for Best Feature Film.
The 2026 ceremony was notable for another reason: for the first time, the National Film Awards ceremony was held outside Delhi.
Yami Gautam Receives Her First National Award
Yami attended the ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, accompanied by her husband and Article 370 producer Aditya Dhar.
The event was held against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity, one of Gujarat’s most prominent landmarks.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award certificates to the winners, marking a significant moment in Yami’s career.
Ahead of the ceremony, Yami spoke about what receiving her first National Award meant to her.
“It feels great. This is the biggest validation for any artist that you can receive, and it’s the highest honour in your country. I don’t think I’ll be able to express how I’m feeling right now. I’m still trying to soak it in.”
For the actor, the recognition came as a particularly emotional milestone after years in the Hindi film industry.
‘I’m Still Feeling Like the Energy of a Newcomer’
Despite having worked in films for more than a decade, Yami said the occasion made her feel like a newcomer experiencing something extraordinary for the first time.
She explained:
“I’m just smiling, but inside I’m still feeling like the energy of a newcomer for whom everything is so new and big and so special.”
Her reaction reflected the significance of the National Film Award, which she described as the highest honour an artist can receive in the country.
The award also recognises her work in a film that dealt with a politically and historically significant subject.
Yami Gautam Played NIA Agent Zooni Haksar in Article 370
Directed by Aditya Jambhale, Article 370 features Yami as Zooni Haksar, an NIA officer involved in a covert operation connected to the situation in Kashmir.
The film follows an intelligence agent who is selected for a secret mission after an incident in Kashmir. The mission centres on efforts to combat terrorism and render Article 370 ineffective.
Yami’s performance forms the central perspective through which much of the film’s action unfolds.
The film was produced by Aditya Dhar and Jio Studios.
Article 370 Also Wins Best Feature Film
Yami’s individual recognition was accompanied by a major honour for the film itself.
Article 370 received the Best Feature Film award at the National Film Awards.
The film combines political drama with elements of espionage and action while depicting events surrounding the government’s decision concerning Article 370.
Its recognition at the National Film Awards therefore extended beyond Yami’s performance to the film as a whole.
A Special National Awards Ceremony in Gujarat
The 2026 ceremony marked a departure from the event’s traditional setting.
For the first time, the National Film Awards ceremony moved out of Delhi, with the event taking place in Kevadia, Gujarat.
The Statue of Unity provided the setting as President Droupadi Murmu presented the honours to the award recipients.
For Yami, the location and the occasion added another memorable chapter to her first National Award experience.
Yami Gautam’s Career Milestone
Yami Gautam began her career on television before moving into films and establishing herself across Hindi and other Indian-language cinema.
Her filmography includes titles such as Vicky Donor, Kaabil, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bala, Dasvi, OMG 2 and Article 370.
Her performance in Article 370 has now earned her the Best Actress in a Leading Role National Film Award, marking the first National Award of her career.
For an actor who said she was still processing the magnitude of the moment, the recognition represents a significant milestone in her journey from television to one of Indian cinema’s most prestigious national honours.
Article 370 is available to stream on Netflix.
