The 72nd National Film Awards, which recognised films certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2024, brought cheers to the Telugu film industry as they bagged nine awards.

Director Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 ADwas adjudged the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film, which narrates a story inspired by the Mahabharata in a dystopian science fiction setting, travels between three worlds: Kasi as the last surviving city, Shambala that awaits the birth of Kalki, and a futuristic city called the Complex. Production designer Nitin Zihani Choudhary, who designed the three distinct worlds with attention to detail, bagged the award for Best Production Design. The sequel to this film is under production, starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, which was the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2024, won its director, B Sukumar, the National Award for Best Original Screenplay. A highlight of this film was Allu Arjun sporting the androgynous look in the Gangamma Jatara sequence, resonating with the cultural authenticity of the region’s festivities. The film’s costume designers Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma have won the award for Best Costume Design.

Meanwhile, director Venky Atluri bagged the award for Best Dialogue Writer for his blockbuster film Lucky Baskhar, starring Dulquer Salmaan in the title role. 

Director Nanda Kishore Emani’s 35-Chinna Katha Kaaduwon the National Award for Best Children's Film. Child actor Arundev also bagged the award for Best Child Artist for 35-Chinna Katha Kaadu. He shares the award with Riddhiman Banerjee, Topomoy Deb, Gitashree Chakraborty (for Onko Ki Kothin) and Athish S Shetty (for Mithya).

One of 2024’s small surprises came in the form of debut director Yadhu Vamsi’s Committee Kurrollu, a nostalgic tale of friendship that also discusses class and caste divisions. Produced by Niharika Konidela, Committee Kurrollu won the National Award for Best Telugu film. P Ravi Kumar won the award for Best Make-Up Artist for the same film.

The respective teams of these films were quick to take to social media to thank the jury and the audience for their support.