National Film Awards 2026: Who Bagged Top Honors?

The 69th National Film Awards were announced yesterday, and Bollywood is buzzing! From Kriti Sanon's Best Actress win to Sardar Udham taking home Best Hindi Film, the awards celebrated the best of Indian cinema from 2025. The ceremony, held in New Delhi, recognized talent across various regional film industries, highlighting the diversity and richness of Indian storytelling. This year's winners truly reflect a dynamic landscape where content reigns supreme.

Bollywood Dominates, Regional Cinema Shines

While Bollywood grabbed a significant share of the awards, regional cinema continued its winning streak. Marathi film 'Ekda Kay Zala' won big, proving that compelling narratives transcend language barriers. Similarly, Tamil cinema shone with several awards for technical achievements and performances. The National Film Awards, as always, served as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the pan-Indian cinematic talent.

Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actress award with Alia Bhatt. Sanon won for her performance in 'Mimi,' while Bhatt was recognized for her portrayal in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'. Reacting to her win, Sanon said, "This is such a surreal moment! 'Mimi' was a film that was incredibly close to my heart, and I'm so grateful that the jury recognized my performance." Meanwhile, Allu Arjun won Best Actor for 'Pushpa: The Rise'.

'Sardar Udham' Wins Best Hindi Film

Shoojit Sircar's 'Sardar Udham,' a biographical drama about the revolutionary Udham Singh, took home the coveted Best Hindi Film award. The film, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video, was lauded for its meticulous production design, gripping narrative, and Vicky Kaushal's powerful performance. Despite not being a massive box office success initially, the film has found a dedicated audience on OTT platforms and is now receiving the critical acclaim it deserves. Reportersays, the win underscores the increasing importance of streaming platforms in showcasing quality Hindi cinema.

Speaking to News Reporter Live, film critic Taran Adarsh noted, "'Sardar Udham's' win is a testament to the fact that well-made, impactful stories will always find an audience, regardless of their initial box office performance. The film's availability on OTT undoubtedly contributed to its reach and recognition."

OTT Platforms and the Future of Film

The increasing presence of films that premiered or gained prominence on OTT platforms at the National Film Awards signals a significant shift in the industry. With theaters facing challenges, streaming services like Netflix India, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar are becoming increasingly important avenues for filmmakers to reach audiences. Consider films like 'Jalsa' and 'Gehraiyaan' – while they had mixed theatrical prospects, they generated significant buzz on OTT.

Looking ahead, cinephiles are already anticipating the releases slated for later this year. Big budget spectacles like 'Brahmastra 2' and smaller indie projects are hoping to capture the audience's imagination. As of today, March 21, 2026, the film industry is a fascinating blend of box office ambitions and streaming service successes.