Was Chiyaan Vikram’s ‘Thangalaan’ the biggest miss at the 72nd National Film Awards?

While the 72nd National Film Awards celebrated some of the finest performances and films of the year, one omission has left fans disappointed. Despite widespread critical acclaim and months of awards buzz, Chiyaan Vikram's ‘Thangalaan’ failed to secure any of the night's major honours, with many calling it one of the biggest snubs of this year's awards.

Vikram's transformation into the tribal leader in director Pa. Ranjith's ‘Thangalaan’ was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. From his physical makeover to his intense performance, many had tipped the actor as a strong contender for the Best Actor award.

Instead, the Best Actor honour was shared by Mammootty for ‘Bramayugam’ and Kartik Aaryan for ‘Chandu Champion’. Best Actress went to Yami Gautam for ‘Article 370’, while ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

The results sparked conversations online, with fans expressing disappointment that Vikram's performance was overlooked. Many took to social media to describe ‘Thangalaan’ as one of the biggest misses of the evening, arguing that the actor's dedication and transformative performance deserved national recognition.

The conversation also extended to the film itself, which had entered the awards race with strong expectations after earning praise for its storytelling, performances and technical craft. However, it did not feature among the night's major winners.

Although ‘Thangalaan’ missed out this year, the film's impact remains undeniable. Vikram's performance continues to be regarded as one of the standout performances of 2024, and the National Film Awards results have only reignited the debate over one of the year's most talked-about omissions.