Yami, still blinking after the ceremony, told reporters she was still digesting the moment— "I’m still trying to soak in this one," she said, her voice a mix of awe and a pinch of disbelief.
The film that earned her the accolade, Article 370, hit screens worldwide on 23 Feb 2024 on a modest Rs 20 cr budget and turned into a commercial hit, raking in Rs 110 cr—an impressive return that made headlines before the awards even began.
When President Droupadi Murmu handed Yami the trophy, the ceremony felt less like a win and more like a rite of passage for an actress who had already carved a niche with her bold choices. Murmu’s own remarks—"A story that speaks to the heart of our nation,"—echoed the film’s thematic weight.
Critics have lauded Yami’s performance as a study in restraint and intensity, noting how she carries every scene on her shoulders with a quiet ferocity that keeps the audience glued. The film’s soundtrack, too, won Best Music Direction, with Shashwat Sachdev’s compositions underscoring the tense narrative.
Looking ahead, Yami hints at a new project that promises to test her range further—an international co‑production that could see her stepping onto global sets. For now, the National Award sits proudly on her shelf, a reminder that even as she learns more, the journey is already a triumph.