Malayalam cinema had plenty to celebrate at the National Film Awards 2026. At the 72nd National Film Awards, which honoured films certified in 2024 and were announced on 18 July 2026, Mammootty shared the Best Actor award for Bramayugam, the small independent film Feminichi Fathima won Best Malayalam Feature Film, and two more Malayalam artists took home national honours. The feature-film jury was headed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj.
Here is a complete look at the Malayalam winners and the major national awards.
Key Highlights
- Best Actor (shared): Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.
- Best Malayalam Feature Film: Feminichi Fathima.
- Best Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal for Bramayugam.
- Best Female Playback Singer: Vaikom Vijayalakshmi for ARM.
- Best Feature Film: Article 370.
Table of Contents
National Film Awards 2026: Malayalam Winners
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor (shared) | Mammootty | Bramayugam |
| Best Cinematography | Shehnad Jalal | Bramayugam |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Vaikom Vijayalakshmi | ARM (“Angu Vaana Konilu”) |
| Best Malayalam Feature Film | Fasil Muhammed (director) | Feminichi Fathima |
Mammootty’s Fourth National Award
With this win, Mammootty has now received the National Film Award for Best Actor four times. His earlier wins came for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal (1989), Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan (1993), and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (1998). Coming more than 25 years after his last national award, this one is a remarkable recognition of an actor still reinventing himself in his seventies.
His role as Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam had already won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in November 2025. Read our Bramayugam review to see why critics were so impressed, and our Kerala State Film Awards 2025 winners list.
Bramayugam’s double triumph
Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal also won the national award for his black-and-white photography of Bramayugam. His use of shadows, oil lamps and rain turned the decaying mana into a character of its own. Together with the acting award, it makes Bramayugam one of the most decorated Malayalam films of the decade.
Vaikom Vijayalakshmi’s win for ARM
Veteran singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, known for her unique voice and her mastery of the gayatri veena, won Best Female Playback Singer for “Angu Vaana Konilu” from Tovino Thomas’ fantasy adventure ARM. It was an emotional win for an artist who has overcome visual impairment to become one of Kerala’s most loved voices.
Feminichi Fathima: Best Malayalam Film
Fasil Muhammed’s debut feature, about a Muslim homemaker’s quiet assertion of identity, continued its remarkable journey. It had already won three Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actress for Shamla Hamza. The national award confirms it as one of the most significant independent Malayalam films of recent years.
Major National Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Article 370 |
| Best Director | Rajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) |
| Best Actor | Mammootty (Bramayugam), Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) |
| Best Actress | Yami Gautam (Article 370) |
| Best Popular Film | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Best Music Direction | G.V. Prakash Kumar (Amaran) |
| Best Original Screenplay | Sukumar (Pushpa 2: The Rule) |
| Best Dialogue | Venky Atluri (Lucky Baskhar) |
Interestingly, Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil’s Pushpa 2 and Dulquer Salmaan’s Telugu hit Lucky Baskhar were also among the winning films in writing categories.
What the National Film Awards 2026 Mean for Malayalam Cinema
Malayalam films have a proud history at the National Film Awards, from Chemmeen winning the President’s Gold Medal in 1965 to Aattam winning Best Feature Film at the 70th awards. This year’s results show the industry’s continued strength in performance and craft. However, some fans felt that 2024 blockbusters such as Manjummel Boys and Aadujeevitham deserved more recognition, especially after their success at the state level.
Debates aside, Mammootty’s win was widely celebrated across the Indian film industry. Coming soon after Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, it caps a golden period for Malayalam cinema’s two biggest legends. Read more in our story on Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Malayalam Cinema’s Proud National Award History
To put this year’s results in context, here are some landmark Malayalam wins at the National Film Awards over the decades:
| Year (awards) | Winner | Honour |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Chemmeen | President’s Gold Medal for Best Feature Film |
| 1991 | Mohanlal (Bharatham) | Best Actor |
| 1994 | Shobana (Manichitrathazhu) | Best Actress |
| 1997 | Suresh Gopi (Kaliyattam) | Best Actor (shared) |
| 1999 | Mohanlal (Vanaprastham) | Best Actor |
| 2010 | Salim Kumar (Adaminte Makan Abu) | Best Actor |
| 2016 | Surabhi Lakshmi (Minnaminungu) | Best Actress |
| 2024 (70th) | Aattam | Best Feature Film |
| 2026 (72nd) | Mammootty (Bramayugam) | Best Actor (shared) |
The list shows how Malayalam artists have consistently been recognised for performance-driven cinema. It also highlights the remarkable span of Mammootty’s career: his first Best Actor win came in 1989, and his latest in 2026 — a gap of more than three and a half decades.
What happens next
The awards were formally presented at a ceremony in September 2026. With Malayalam films continuing to perform strongly in 2025 and 2026, from Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra to Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, many fans expect the industry to feature prominently again when the next edition of the National Film Awards is announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Best Actor at the National Film Awards 2026?
The award was shared by Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion).
Which film won Best Malayalam Film at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Feminichi Fathima, directed by Fasil Muhammed.
How many national awards has Mammootty won?
Mammootty has now won the National Film Award for Best Actor four times.
When were the National Film Awards 2026 announced?
The 72nd National Film Awards were announced on 18 July 2026.
Who headed the jury for the 72nd National Film Awards?
The feature-film jury was headed by Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj.
Which Malayalam film won Best Cinematography at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Shehnad Jalal won Best Cinematography for his black-and-white work on Bramayugam, the same film that earned Mammootty his shared Best Actor award.
Conclusion
The National Film Awards 2026 were another proud moment for Malayalam cinema, led by Mammootty’s historic win and Bramayugam‘s double honour. For background on the awards, visit the National Film Awards page on Wikipedia.
