Dhanush wins Best Tamil Film at 72nd National Awards, sons steal the show
Synopsis
Dhanush walked into the 72nd National Film Awards as a decorated actor — and walked out as an award-winning director too. 'Raayan' clinched Best Tamil Film, his first directorial National Award, while 'Captain Miller' earned a special mention. With his sons Yatra and Linga stealing his thunder at the ceremony, he dedicated the wins to his fans on Instagram.
Key Takeaways
Dhanush won the Best Tamil Film award for 'Raayan' at the 72nd National Film Awards — his first National Award as a director.
His performance in 'Captain Miller' received a special mention at the same ceremony.
Dhanush attended the event with his sons Yatra and Linga , and shared photos on Instagram dedicating the win to his fans.
He has now collected eight National Film Awards across acting, producing, and directing categories.
His previous Best Actor wins were for 'Aadukalam' ( 2011 ) and 'Asuran' ( 2021 ).
Actor-director Dhanush attended the 72nd National Film Awards in Mumbai on 22 September 2026 alongside his sons, Yatra and Linga, walking away with two honours — and admitting it was his boys who commanded the most attention on the night.
A Historic Double at the National Awards
Dhanush received the Best Tamil Film award for 'Raayan', a film he helmed as director — marking his first National Award in the directing category. His performance in 'Captain Miller' also earned him a special mention at the ceremony. The twin recognition makes him one of the rare Indian film personalities to collect National Awards both in front of and behind the camera in the same edition of the ceremony.
What Dhanush Said on Instagram
Sharing photographs from the event on his official Instagram account, Dhanush wrote: 'When your thunder is stolen and you don't mind it...And as I always say, with my heart full of gratitude.. this is for my fans .. the pillars of my strength.' The post showed all three dressed for the occasion — Yatra and Linga in sharp formals, while Dhanush kept things characteristically low-key in a simple shirt, mundu, and chappals.
About 'Raayan' — The Award-Winning Film
'Raayan' centres on a food truck owner from North Chennai who is drawn into a dangerous conflict between two rival gangs while trying to shield his family. The ensemble cast includes Dushara Vijayan, S. J. Suryah, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Selvaraghavan, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Saravanan, Dileepan, and Divya Pillai.
Dhanush's National Award Journey
With these latest honours, Dhanush has now collected eight National Film Awards across his career. His first came at the 58th National Film Awards in 2011, when he won Best Actor for 'Aadukalam'. A decade later, at the 67th National Film Awards in 2021, he claimed a second Best Actor for 'Asuran'. As a producer, he secured the Best Children's Film award for 'Kaaka Muttai' at the 62nd National Film Awards in 2015, and the Best Feature Film in Tamil for 'Visaaranai' at the 63rd National Film Awards in 2016. The 72nd edition now adds a directing award and a special mention to that tally.
What This Means for Tamil Cinema
Dhanush's recognition as a director — separate from his long-established identity as a performer — signals a broadening creative footprint in Tamil cinema. 'Raayan', with its gritty North Chennai milieu, had already drawn comparisons to the raw social realism that characterised his earlier National Award-winning projects. The 72nd National Awards, for films of 2023, reflect a jury that rewarded content-driven storytelling over spectacle — a pattern consistent with recent editions.
Point of View
And 'Raayan' continues that thematic thread. The question now is whether this dual recognition accelerates his shift toward authorial filmmaking, or whether the commercial pull of star vehicles keeps him primarily in front of the camera.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What awards did Dhanush win at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Dhanush won the Best Tamil Film award for 'Raayan', which he directed, marking his first National Award as a filmmaker. He also received a special mention for his acting in 'Captain Miller' at the same ceremony.
Is this Dhanush's first National Award as a director?
Yes, the Best Tamil Film award for 'Raayan' at the 72nd National Film Awards is Dhanush's first National Award in the directing category. He had previously won National Awards as an actor and as a producer.
How many National Film Awards has Dhanush won in total?
With the two honours at the 72nd edition, Dhanush has now accumulated eight National Film Awards across his career, covering acting, producing, and directing.
What is the film 'Raayan' about?
'Raayan' follows a food truck owner from North Chennai who becomes embroiled in a violent rivalry between two gangs while trying to keep his family safe. The film features an ensemble cast including S. J. Suryah, Prakash Raj, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, among others.
Who were Dhanush's sons at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Dhanush attended the 72nd National Film Awards with his sons Yatra and Linga. He shared photos of the occasion on Instagram, noting humorously that they had stolen his thunder at the event.
