For the first time in 72 years, the National Film Awards will leave Delhi. The 72nd edition will be held in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar on September 22, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours.
The National Film Awards are set for a historic change this year. For the first time in their 72-year history, the prestigious awards ceremony will move out of New Delhi and be held in Gujarat.
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, on September 22. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards to the winners.
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The move marks a major departure from the long-standing tradition of hosting the ceremony in the national capital. Since the first National Film Awards were presented in 1954, Delhi has been closely associated with the event, with Vigyan Bhawan serving as the venue for most editions.
Why the ceremony is moving to Gujarat
Ekta Nagar is home to the Statue of Unity, the 597-foot monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The statue, inaugurated in 2018, is one of Gujarat's most prominent landmarks and has made Ekta Nagar a major destination for visitors.
Holding the National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar gives this year's ceremony a setting different from the traditional Delhi venue. The location is also significant because one of the films recognised at this year's awards is connected to the Statue of Unity.
Who won at the 72nd National Film Awards?
The 72nd National Film Awards were announced in July and honoured films released in 2024.
Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award for her performance in the film.
The Best Actor award will be shared by Malayalam superstar Mammootty and Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan. Mammootty won for his performance in Bramayugam, while Aaryan was recognised for Chandu Champion.
Actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda was named Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, his directorial debut based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Kalki 2898 AD, the Telugu science-fiction epic, won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Tamil film Captain Miller, directed by Arun Matheswaran and starring Dhanush, was named Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
A special connection to the new venue
The choice of Ekta Nagar is particularly notable because filmmaker Aanand L Rai won Best Direction in the non-feature category for Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek.
This gives the 2026 ceremony an additional connection to its new location, with the event taking place in the same town associated with the Statue of Unity.
A break from a decades-old tradition
The National Film Awards have traditionally been presented in New Delhi, with the President of India handing the honours to the winners. The move to Ekta Nagar therefore represents more than a change of venue.
For the first time since the awards began in 1954, the ceremony will be held outside the national capital. The September 22 event will consequently mark a new chapter in the history of India's oldest and most prominent national film honours.
The 72nd edition will bring together some of the biggest names recognised for their work in Indian cinema, while also introducing a new setting for the ceremony at one of Gujarat's most prominent landmarks.
Published: 07 Sept 2026, 07:20 pm IST
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