MUMBAI: Yami Gautam says receiving her first National Film Award has changed the way she looks at her work, bringing an added sense of responsibility as she considers her next roles.
The actor was honoured with the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370 at the 72nd National Film Awards. The award was announced in July and presented at the ceremony in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on September 22. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also named Article 370 the Best Feature Film.
Speaking at the trailer launch of her upcoming film Nayyi Navelli, Gautam said the National Film Award represented an important validation for an artist and acknowledged that the recognition had affected her outlook.
She said she now feels an even greater responsibility to keep challenging herself, work harder and explore a wider variety of roles. Gautam also stressed that she remains conscious of how much there is still to learn in her career.
The award marks a new milestone for an actor whose career has moved across commercial cinema and more issue-driven projects. Her performance in Article 370, which was released in 2024, earned her the leading actress honour at this year’s National Film Awards.
The recognition has also arrived as Gautam prepares for a different kind of role.
In Nayyi Navelli, she plays Mohini, a mysterious bride whose arrival changes the atmosphere inside a troubled family in Meerut. The film combines comedy, fantasy and supernatural elements, marking director Balaji Mohan’s Hindi-film debut.
The film is scheduled to reach cinemas on October 16, 2026, making it Gautam’s next major theatrical release following her National Award win.
Gautam has also indicated that she does not intend to let the award become the sole measure of her career. Instead, she has spoken about continuing to choose roles that interest her while seeking opportunities that allow her to experiment as an actor.
Her comments come less than two weeks before Nayyi Navelli arrives in theatres, putting her National Award-winning performance behind her and a markedly different screen character ahead of her.
For Gautam, the immediate focus is therefore not simply on the recognition she has already received, but on what she chooses to do with it next.
What National Award did Yami Gautam win?
Yami Gautam won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 72nd National Film Awards for her performance in Article 370.
Which film won Yami Gautam the National Award?
She received the award for Article 370, which also won Best Feature Film at the 72nd National Film Awards.
When did Yami Gautam receive the National Award?
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held on September 22, 2026, in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
What did Yami Gautam say about winning the National Award?
She said the recognition has brought an added sense of responsibility and encouraged her to work harder and explore more diverse roles.
What is Yami Gautam’s next film?
Her next theatrical release is Nayyi Navelli, directed by Balaji Mohan.
When will Nayyi Navelli release?
Nayyi Navelli is scheduled to release in Indian cinemas on October 16, 2026.
Who does Yami Gautam play in Nayyi Navelli?
She plays Mohini, a mysterious bride at the centre of the film’s supernatural family story.
