Yami Gautam penned a heartfelt note after winning the ‘Best Actress’ award at the 72nd National Film Awards for her performance in ‘Article 370’. The prestigious honour marks one of the biggest milestones in her acting career. Soon after the winners were announced, the actress took to social media to express her gratitude and reflect on the journey that brought her to this moment.
Opening her message, she wrote, “Every journey has a moment that reminds you why you never gave up. Today is that moment for me. Receiving the National Award for ‘Article 370’ is an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Reflecting on her career, Yami shared that the award represents the outcome of years of perseverance, dedication and faith in meaningful storytelling. She said she always focused on delivering sincere performances rather than chasing recognition.
She wrote, “For 14 years, I have simply tried to stay true to my craft, work with honesty and let my performances speak for themselves. This honour feels like the culmination of a journey filled with hope, perseverance, resilience and an unwavering love for cinema. It is a dream I have carried in my heart for years and today, I receive it with immense gratitude and humility (sic).”
Yami revealed that ‘Article 370’ was far more than another acting assignment. Along with portraying intelligence officer Zooni Haksar, she said the film carried emotional significance because it was produced under her home banner. She explained that everyone associated with the project shared a common vision of telling the story with sincerity and conviction. According to the actress, every discussion, challenge and day on set strengthened that commitment. Yami also thanked the National Film Awards jury, director Aditya Suhas Jambhale, the writers, cast, crew, producers and audiences for believing in the film. She said the response to ‘Article 370’ reinforced her confidence that meaningful stories continue to resonate with viewers across the country.
In her message, Yami expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends and professional team for standing by her throughout every phase of her career. She credited their encouragement for giving her the confidence to keep moving forward during difficult periods.
She added, “This award is not the end of a dream; it is the beginning of a greater responsibility. To keep growing, to keep taking risks and to keep telling stories that matter (sic).”
Ending her note on an inspiring note, Yami encouraged aspiring artists to continue believing in themselves. She added, “Dreams do come true but only when passion refuses to give up. This one’s for every dreamer who is still waiting for their moment. Never stop believing (sic).”