Sanjay Mishra wins Best Supporting Actor at 72nd National Film Awards

Veteran actor Sanjay Mishra has won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his performance in the 2024 crime drama Bhakshak. The honour comes after more than three decades of work in Indian cinema.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards on Tuesday. For the first time, the ceremony was held outside New Delhi.

In Bhakshak, Mishra plays Bhaskar Sinha, a cameraman who assists journalist Vaishali Singh, portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar, as she investigates allegations of abuse at a girls' shelter home in Bihar. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma under Red Chillies Entertainment, the film was released on Netflix on February 9, 2024. Its cast also includes Aditya Srivastava as Bansi Sahu, a powerful figure linked to the shelter home, and Sai Tamhankar as police officer Jasmeet Kaur. The narrative touches on corruption, institutional neglect and the pursuit of justice.

Mishra said he had not expected the recognition. He described Pednekar as his "lucky charm", noting that their two collaborations, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Bhakshak, both brought him considerable appreciation.

Recalling how he learnt of the selection, Mishra said messages began reaching him asking him to check the Press Information Bureau platform for the announcement. He said the moment was especially emotional because his late father had worked at the PIB, and the news reached him through the same office where his father once served.

Bhakshak was among several titles recognised at the ceremony. Yami Gautam won Best Actress in a Leading Role for Article 370, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for Chandu Champion and Bramayugam, respectively.