72nd National Film Awards: Mammootty wins Best Actor; 'Feminichi Fathima' named Best Malayalam Film

Published Jul 18, 04:14 PM UTC

The 72nd National Film Awards, announced in New Delhi on July 18, 2026, brought a mix of success and disappointment for Malayalam cinema. Veteran actor Mammootty won the Rajat Kamal for Best Actor, sharing the honor with Kartik Aaryan, for his role as the tyrannical landlord Kodumon Potty in the thriller 'Bramayugam'. Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal won Best Cinematography for his work on the same film. Singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi won Best Playback Singer (Female) for her lullaby-like rendition of 'Angu Vaana Konilu...' from the movie 'ARM'. Fasil Muhammed's directorial debut 'Feminichi Fathima' won Best Malayalam Film, a satire on patriarchal and religious constraints on women. In non-feature films, 'Bhadra-Kali Natakam' by Ananda Jyothi received a special mention. Actor Asif Ali, considered for Best Actor for 'Kishkindha Kaandam', expressed pride in being alongside Mammootty.