Five Child Actors Steal the Spotlight at 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia Five young performers from Kannada, Telugu, and Bengali cinema received the Best Child Artist honour at the 72nd National Film Awards held in Kevadia, Gujarat. 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. What this means for you This recognition opens major creative pathways for regional cinema and spotlights authentic roles for young actors. • For movie viewers: Audiences gain a direct incentive to seek out regional cinema from Kannada, Telugu, and Bengali industries. It draws greater attention to child-centric storytelling across streaming platforms and festivals. • For aspiring young actors: Young performers receive confirmation that nuanced performances are recognized on national platforms. This encourages more serious dramatic opportunities beyond conventional supporting parts. • For regional film industries: Film ecosystems in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal gain national visibility for their youth-focused narratives. Such honours help localized projects travel to pan-Indian audiences. • For filmmakers and producers: Production houses are more likely to fund scripts focused on children and authentic coming-of-age themes. This broadens the diversity of cinematic storytelling across Indian entertainment. Why this happened The multi-winner outcome in the Best Child Artist category reflected the exceptional realism and emotional maturity demonstrated by young actors across regional cinema in 2024. • Authentic on-screen performances: The selected child actors portrayed grounded, unembellished characters rather than conventional decorative roles. The jury singled out their natural presence and emotional delivery. • Strength of regional scripts: Regional productions in Kannada, Telugu, and Bengali placed children's experiences at the heart of their storytelling in 2024. These nuanced scripts provided ample room for young performers to excel. • Broader cultural representation: Relocating the ceremony to Kevadia after 72 years in the national capital aligned with a broader effort to showcase cinema from across the country on an expansive national stage. Questions & Answers 1. Where was the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held? The ceremony took place on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat. 2. Who presented the National Film Awards at the event? President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to the winners during the ceremony. 3. Which five child artists won the Best Child Artist award? Athish S Shetty, Arundev Pothula, Riddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, and Geetashree Chakraborty won the award. 4. Who was honoured for the Kannada film Mithya? Athish S Shetty was honoured for his performance in the Kannada feature Mithya. 5. Which actor won for the Telugu film Chinna Katha Kaadu? Arundev Pothula won the award for portraying the character Arun in Chinna Katha Kaadu. 6. Who were the winners from the Bengali film Onko Ki Kothin? Riddhiman Banerjee, 10-year-old Tapomoy Deb, and 10-year-old Geetashree Chakraborty won from the film. 7. What is Riddhiman Banerjee's personal ambition? Despite winning the National Film Award for acting, Riddhiman Banerjee aspires to become a pilot. Inspiration & Lessons The achievements of these five child actors demonstrate that perseverance, natural talent, and focused effort can reach the highest national platform regardless of age. • Age is no barrier to excellence: Securing national recognition at age ten shows that dedication and authenticity carry immense weight. Passionate pursuit of a craft brings meaningful outcomes early in life. • Consistency builds lasting milestones: Athish Shetty's journey across more than 20 films proves that steady persistence lays the groundwork for breakthroughs. Regular practice and commitment eventually earn the highest respect. • Broadening future ambitions: Riddhiman Banerjee's aspiration to become a pilot despite winning a top cinematic prize reminds us that early success in one domain should never limit other personal ambitions. https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/kevadia-men-72ven-national-film-awards-men-chamake-pancha-bala-kalakara-36632 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.