72nd National Film Awards: 'Bhangaar' Wins Best Non-Feature Film; Check Full List of Winners
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the 72nd National Film Awards for 2024. Chaired by Jayaraj, the jury honoured excellence in feature and non-feature categories. Top wins included Bhangaar for Best Non-Feature Film. The awards celebrate the best of Indian cinema from the past year, with official ceremony details to be announced soon.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards today, honouring the most significant contributions to Indian cinema from the 2024 calendar year. The results, revealed in New Delhi following an evaluation by an 11-member jury chaired by acclaimed filmmaker Jayaraj, recognise excellence across feature films, non-feature films, and writing on cinema.
The awards celebrate a diverse range of cinematic works that received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Jennifer Winget Marries William Ishmael: Actress Shares Official Wedding Video (Watch).
72nd National Film Awards Announced
Highlights from the Non-Feature Category
The announcement began with a focus on non-feature films, spotlighting exceptional talent in technical and narrative craft:
- Best Non-Feature Film: Bhangaar, directed by Sumira Roy.
- Best Direction (Non-Feature): Anand L. Rai for Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek.
- Best Music Direction: Shivpal Singh Kang for the Marathi documentary Parat 41°chya Magavar.
- Best Script: Faraz Ali for Obur (Clouds), a Hindi and Kashmiri film.
- Best Sound Design: TS Hari Hara Sudhan for the Tamil documentary Blue.
- Best Editing: Manvir Jasrotia for the Hindi documentary NDA.
The jury also conferred Special Mention awards to Chola Dora aur Sui and Bhadra-Kali Natakam for their unique storytelling approaches.
72nd National Film Awards: Ministry Reveals the Best Films of 2024
Announcement of 72nd National Film Awards | @nfdcindiahttps://t.co/o2G9LeVJUw
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) July 18, 2026
Recognising Writing on Cinema
The awards also honoured significant contributions to film scholarship and criticism:
- Best Film Critic: Sanjeev Shrivastava, recognised for his impactful analysis and contribution to Hindi cinema criticism.
- Best Book on Cinema: The award was given to Kenchanuru Pradeep Kumar Shetty for his Kannada work, Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva Matthu Rajakeeya.
About the Selection Process
This year’s awards followed a rigorous evaluation process, which saw a slight delay of two weeks as the jury finalised their selections from a vast pool of entries spanning 24 languages. The 2024 film calendar was marked by a blend of large-scale commercial successes and critically acclaimed regional dramas, including films like All We Imagine As Light, Laapataa Ladies, and various breakthrough regional titles.  Priyanka Chopra Turns 44: Kareena Kapoor Wishes Actress on Birthday With Throwback Pic From Karan Johar’s ‘KWK’ Couch (See Post).
The 72nd National Film Awards serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of Indian filmmaking, balancing technical innovation with deeply rooted cultural narratives. The official ceremony details for the distribution of these awards are expected to be announced by the Ministry in due course.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2026 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
