When Article 370 (2024) was announced as the Best Film at the 72nd National Awards, it was the film’s co-producer Aditya Dhar’s second win. He had earlier won the Best Director prize for Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). The victory this year was made sweeter for Dhar with his wife Yami Gautam winning the Best Actress honour for her work in Article 370.

Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Article 370 is an action-political thriller centred around two women: one, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer (Yami) deployed in Kashmir; the other, a joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Priyamani) working in the power corridors of New Delhi. Oscillating between the two, the film devotes the last act to the showdown in Parliament to get the bill passed. A character loosely based on home minister Amit Shah comes across as the mastermind behind the mission to successfully abrogate Article 370. The film ends with the claim that the removal of special status has brought peace to Kashmir and made it a better place for doing business.

Dhar’s streak is only going to get bigger. Among the contenders for the 73rd National Awards will be Dhurandhar, his sophomore feature as director, as well as Dhoom Dhaam and Baramulla, both films produced by B62 Studios, the banner he and his brother Lokesh founded. To say that Dhurandhar is a heavy favourite at next year’s awards would be an understatement, but it also shows that Dhar is making cinema that strikes a chord, especially when it comes to political posturing and aggressive nationalism. That his films have technical finesse, especially when it comes to sound design, action and cinematography, helps them make a lasting impression.

“The film centres on the mission to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into [the] Indian Union, emphasising a unifying and indivisible nation,” said Jayaraj, chairperson of the Feature Film Jury, reading the citation. “It highlights the battle against local corruption and dismantling of a conflict economy that had historically destabilised the region.”

Dhar will be in contention at the 74th National Awards, too, with Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026), the highest grossing film in India so far this year. Needless to say, Dhar will be eyeing the Swarna Kamal a.k.a. Golden Lotus prize as best director for at least one of his films.

Though Dhar was absent at the Screen Awards 2026 despite Dhurandhar winning 14 trophies, both he and Yami will be present at the National Awards ceremony, showcasing why they are the industry’s new power couple. With Yami also in the running next year for her work in Haq (2025), the Dhars will be looking to solidify their status with back-to-back wins.

Dhar has time and again emphasised that the National Awards matter to him the most. “It is humbling, emotional and one that fills my heart with immense gratitude,” he wrote in a lengthy post shared on Instagram. “We were driven by a conviction, to tell a story with honesty, courage and sincerity. To see that journey resonate with audiences across the country and now be recognised with the highest honour in Indian cinema, is truly overwhelming.”

The filmmaker signed off the thank you message with a declaration of intent—that he is just getting started: “This is not the destination. It is a promise to keep pushing boundaries, to keep telling stories that matter and to create cinema that sparks conversations, stirs emotions and leaves a lasting impact.” Given his streak at the National Awards, one expects the jury will be watching with bated breath.

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Published By:

Shyam Balasubramanian

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 18:38 IST