Article 370 wins 3 National Awards: Aditya Dhar on honesty and courage
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Aditya Dhar, producer of the political drama 'Article 370', has expressed deep gratitude after the film swept three National Awards — for Best Music, Best Actress, and Best Feature Film — at the latest edition of India's most prestigious cinema honours. The wins, announced on Saturday, mark a landmark moment for the production and its collaborators.
Aditya Dhar's Reaction
Dhar, who most recently helmed 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', took to his X account to share a heartfelt note. 'Winning Three National Awards for Article 370 is a moment that is difficult to put into words. It is humbling, deeply emotional and one that fills my heart with immense gratitude. When we set out to make this film, we weren't chasing accolades. We were driven by a conviction, to tell a story with honesty, courage and sincerity,' he wrote.
Dhar added that the recognition from audiences and now from the National Awards jury was 'truly overwhelming,' dedicating the honour to the film's director, cast, and crew. 'This honour belongs to our extraordinary director, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, whose vision and conviction shaped every frame. To Yami Gautam Dhar and Priyamani, for bringing such depth, strength and authenticity to their performances. To Shashwat Sachdev, whose music became the soul of our storytelling,' he said.
Three Awards That Define the Film
'Article 370' claimed Best Feature Film, Best Actress for Yami Gautam Dhar, and Best Music for composer Shashwat Sachdev. The sweep positions the film among the most-decorated productions at this year's National Awards, underlining both its commercial appeal and critical credibility.
Jio Studios Responds
Jyoti Deshpande, President of Jio Studios, described the wins as 'an incredibly emotional moment' for everyone involved. 'We never began this journey with awards in mind. We simply believed this was a story that deserved to be told, with honesty, courage, and conviction,' she said. Deshpande also singled out director Aditya Suhas Jambhale for his 'clarity of vision' and acknowledged production partners B62 and Lokesh Dhar for their sustained belief in the project.
'At Jio Studios, we have always believed that meaningful stories have the power to move people, provoke thought, and leave a lasting impact. This honour reaffirms that belief,' Deshpande added.
Significance of the Recognition
The National Awards are widely regarded as Indian cinema's highest state honour, adjudicated by a jury appointed by the government. For a film built around a politically sensitive subject — the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir — winning Best Feature Film carries particular weight. Notably, the film had already performed strongly at the box office before this awards recognition, suggesting a rare convergence of popular and critical success. This comes amid a broader trend of patriotic and issue-driven Indian films finding both audience traction and institutional recognition in recent years.