The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony unfolded on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, against the historic backdrop of Kevadia in Gujarat. In a landmark shift spanning 72 years, the country's most celebrated cinematic event was hosted outside its customary venue at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious honours celebrating the finest work produced across feature films, non-feature films, and writing on cinema. The ceremony honoured productions that were released in the year 2024. While celebrated industry figures such as Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, and Mammootty took the stage among the primary honourees, a remarkable highlight of the celebration was the recognition of five young child actors whose authentic on-screen presence captured widespread admiration across the nation.
Five Young Talents Clinch Best Child Artist Honours
The honour for Best Child Artist was shared among five young actors representing three vibrant regional film industries. Athish S Shetty earned the prestigious recognition for his performance in the Kannada film Mithya. From Telugu cinema, Arundev Pothula received the award for his role in the critically acclaimed production Chinna Katha Kaadu. Bengali cinema made a sweeping impression in the category, with three child artistes from the film Onko Ki Kothin—Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, and Geetashree Chakraborty—jointly winning the National Award for their exceptional performances.
Athish S Shetty Triumphs with Kannada Feature Mithya
Athish S Shetty secured the prestigious national honour on the strength of his compelling screen performance in the Kannada feature Mithya. Recognized within Kannada cinema as one of its most capable young talents, Athish began his acting journey at an early age. His filmography already spans more than 20 diverse film projects, demonstrating notable versatility across genres. His layered depiction in Mithya brought him widespread praise from reviewers and culminated in this landmark national achievement.
Arundev Pothula Secures Historic Win with Chinna Katha Kaadu
Young Telugu performer Arundev Pothula claimed the National Award for his memorable portrayal in Chinna Katha Kaadu. Arundev gained nationwide prominence through his depiction of the character Arun in the acclaimed film. His disciplined and emotive performance earned him the coveted Best Child Artist trophy, positioning him as one of the youngest actors from the Telugu film industry ever to receive the highest cinematic honour in India.
Bengali Trio Shines in Onko Ki Kothin
The Bengali feature Onko Ki Kothin witnessed an extraordinary triple triumph, with young performers Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, and Geetashree Chakraborty earning widespread acclaim. Ten-year-old Tapomoy Deb, who played the character Tyre, is already a familiar performer in Bengali cinema. Fellow 10-year-old Geetashree Chakraborty delivered an equally engaging portrayal as Dolly, securing critical acclaim. Riddhiman Banerjee stood out for bringing the character Babin to life on screen. Even as he celebrates this summit cinematic milestone, Riddhiman harbors ambitions beyond entertainment, aspiring to become a pilot in the future.
