Actress Yami Gautam has said her years in the film industry have been her 'greatest teacher', reflecting on a career arc that culminated in a Best Actress National Award for her performance in the political thriller Article 370. Her remarks came in response to praise from veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who publicly lauded her commitment to craft.

From Television to National Recognition

Yami began her career on television, appearing in shows such as Chand Ke Paar Chalo and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam before making her Hindi film debut in the comedy-drama Vicky Donor in 2012. Over the years, she built a body of work that includes Kaabil, URI: The Surgical Strike, Bala, A Thursday, Dasvi, Article 370, and Haq — a filmography that spans genres and registers.

Ram Gopal Varma's Praise and Yami's Response

Varma, in his remarks, said he 'believes in the power of recognition especially when it comes from many years of sincerity along with an unwavering commitment to one's craft.' He added that he is personally more impressed with the journey itself — 'the struggles, the perseverance, the risks, the faith and the refusal to give up, is what gradually built it up brick by brick towards this moment of the final construction.'

Responding to his words on X (formerly Twitter), Yami wrote: 'Thank you so much, Sir. Your words truly mean a lot to me. The journey has indeed been the greatest teacher and I'm deeply grateful for your encouragement and generosity. Here's to continuing to learn, grow and stay true to the craft.'

About Article 370 and Its National Award Sweep

Article 370, the film at the centre of her recognition, is based on the 2019 revocation of the special constitutional status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. The film dominated the 72nd National Film Awards, claiming three honours — Best Actress, Best Music, and Best Feature Film.

The awards were evaluated by an 11-member Central Jury chaired by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Jayaraj, who oversaw the final selection after reviewing entries from across the country. The event is organised by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC).

Ceremony Details

While the date for the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony has not yet been announced, it is expected to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where the President of India traditionally confers the honours — as was the case at the 70th and 71st editions. Yami's win marks one of the most significant milestones of her career, validating over a decade of consistent work across commercial and content-driven cinema.