The ceremony for the 72nd National Film Awards will be held in Gujarat’s Kevadia (officially Ekta Nagar) on 22 September, a departure from the decades-long practice of staging the event at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, officials reported.
Historic shift from Delhi
According to reports from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, organisers decided to move the awards ceremony out of the capital for the first time in 72 years. The venue change situates the country’s premier film honours in close proximity to the Statue of Unity, the 597-foot monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel located near Kevadia in Narmada district.
"President of India Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to present the honours during her visit to Gujarat later this month," officials said.
The National Film Awards, instituted in 1954, have commonly been presented in New Delhi, with Vigyan Bhawan serving as the familiar location for recipients, filmmakers and dignitaries. Moving the event to Ekta Nagar marks a notable planning and protocol shift for a ceremony that combines government representation with the country’s film fraternity.
Winners and ceremony details
The jury announced winners earlier this year at a press conference in New Delhi. Among the major prize recipients were films and artistes across languages and categories, reflecting the awards’ pan-Indian remit.
- Article 370 — Best Feature Film
- Yami Gautam — Best Actress in a Leading Role (for Article 370)
- Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan — Joint Best Actor (for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion respectively)
- Rajkumar Periasamy — Best Direction (Amaran)
- Randeep Hooda — Best Debut Director (Swatantrya Veer Savarkar)
Other notable awards included Kalki 2898 AD (Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment), Captain Miller (Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values), and technical honours such as Best Production Design and Best Costume Design for films that featured robust mainstream and regional representation.
Local impact and logistics
Hosting a high-profile national ceremony is likely to generate attention for Kevadia’s tourism infrastructure, which already receives visitors to the Statue of Unity complex. The presence of the President and a gathering of national film figures will require heightened security, advance protocol coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and local administration, and temporary capacity augmentation in hospitality and transport services.
State and district officials will be expected to coordinate with central ministries for protocol, accommodation, traffic management and event logistics. The move also presents an opportunity for Gujarat’s tourism and hospitality sectors to promote Ekta Nagar as a destination for cultural events and high-profile gatherings.
Industry and cultural significance
For the film industry, staging the awards outside New Delhi could broaden outreach and visibility for regional cinema hubs. The National Film Awards traditionally celebrate films from across India, and hosting the ceremony in Gujarat aligns the event’s geographic reach with its cross-country mandate.
Organisers will also need to adapt the customary format for presenting awards, cultural programmes and media coverage to the new location. Broadcast arrangements and live telecast plans will be finalised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in coordination with the National Film Development Corporation and state agencies.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 72nd National Film Awards ceremony |
| Date | 22 September |
| Venue | Kevadia / Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, Gujarat |
| Chief guest | President of India Droupadi Murmu (to present awards) |
Officials have not released granular details on seating capacity, invited list or the full sequence of events. Those will be announced as logistical plans are finalised in the coming days, following protocol clearances for presidential travel and security arrangements.
The decision to hold the ceremony in Kevadia is the latest in a pattern of moving national-level cultural events outside Delhi to regional venues. For Gujarat, it is an occasion to showcase local infrastructure on a national stage and to host the country’s cinematic community near one of the state’s most prominent landmarks.
Further updates on the ceremony’s programme, arrivals and live broadcast arrangements are expected from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and state authorities ahead of the September date.
