72nd National Film Awards in Gujarat: Why Is the Ceremony Being Held in Ekta Nagar Instead of Delhi?
For the first time, the National Film Awards are moving beyond the national capital. The 72nd National Film Awards are being held at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) in Gujarat on September 22, 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to present the honours.
The move marks a new direction for one of India's most prestigious film award ceremonies.
But why was Gujarat selected for this year's ceremony? Here's what Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said about the government's plan.
Why are the National Film Awards being held in Gujarat?According to the government, the decision is aimed at taking the National Film Awards beyond a conventional venue and connecting the celebration of Indian cinema with India's tourist destinations.
Ekta Nagar, also known as Kevadia, is home to the Statue of Unity and is a major tourist destination in Gujarat. The government has said that bringing filmmakers, actors and other members of the film fraternity to such locations can help showcase these destinations to a wider audience.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach of taking major national events to different parts of the country. He described the idea as an effort to bring the National Film Awards out of a conference-room setting and closer to the public and tourist destinations.
The government plans to select a different state or city for future editions of the National Film Awards.
Vaishnaw has invited states to submit proposals highlighting their best tourism destinations. According to the plan described by the minister, states will be expected to develop proposals covering facilities and broader arrangements for hosting the prestigious ceremony.
The destination whose proposal is selected would host a future edition of the National Film Awards.
The government's broader objective is to create a stronger connection between the film industry and tourism.
The idea is that when leading filmmakers, actors and other artists travel to different parts of India for the National Film Awards, the event can simultaneously draw attention to the cultural and tourism potential of the host location.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has officially described the Gujarat ceremony as the beginning of a new journey for the National Film Awards, with future editions planned across different parts of the country.
The 72nd National Film Awards recognise achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024. The awards cover feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema across India's diverse languages and filmmaking traditions.
The ceremony will also see veteran actor Anant Nag receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
With the ceremony moving from Delhi to Ekta Nagar, the 72nd National Film Awards are not just celebrating Indian cinema but also marking a change in how the country's premier film honours are presented.