National Film Awards 2026 LIVE: When and Where To Watch 72nd Edition of Ceremony Online

The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is set to take place today, September 22, 2026, honouring the finest contributions to Indian cinema for the year 2024. In a departure from traditional custom, the prestigious event is being held at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, marking the first time the national awards ceremony is being hosted outside the capital. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours to the winners starting at 3:00 PM IST. President Droupadi Murmu to Present 72nd National Film Awards in Gujarat Today.

Where and When to Watch the 72nd National Film Awards

Audiences across India can watch the live coverage of the ceremony through official broadcast and digital channels starting at 3:00 PM IST. Pre-ceremony red carpet coverage will begin streaming from 2:00 PM IST.

The main ceremony will be broadcast live on television via Doordarshan channels, including DD National and DD Bharati. Viewers seeking digital options can stream the broadcast live starting at 3:00 PM IST on the official YouTube channels of DD News and DD India, as well as on the JioTV app by tuning into DD Bharati.

Major Winners and Key Highlights

The list of award recipients, originally announced by the National Film Development Corporation of India in July 2026, features notable achievements across multiple languages.

Best Feature Film: Article 370 secured the top honour as Best Feature Film.

Best Acting Roles: Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) share the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, while Yami Gautam won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Article 370.

Best Popular Feature Film: Kalki 2898 AD received the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Veteran actor Anant Nag will be conferred with India's highest cinematic honour for his decades-long career and contribution to Indian cinema. Who Is Anant Nag? Meet the Sandalwood Icon Named 2024 Dadasaheb Phalke Award Recipient.

Organized annually by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the National Film Awards remain one of the most prominent accolades in Indian cinema. The decision to relocate the 72nd ceremony to Kevadia, Gujarat, aligns with ongoing efforts to celebrate regional diversity and broaden the footprint of national cultural events across the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2026 10:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).