National Film Awards to Move to Gujarat’s Kevadia for First Time in 72 Years

The National Film Awards ceremony will leave Delhi for the first time in its 72-year history, with the prestigious event scheduled to take place at Kevadia, now known as Ekta Nagar, in Gujarat on September 22. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours.

Historic Shift from Delhi

The National Film Awards have traditionally been associated with Delhi, with the first ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in 1954. The venue has hosted most editions of the awards over the decades.

The decision to shift the ceremony to Gujarat marks a departure from that long-standing tradition. Kevadia, located in Gujarat’s Narmada district, has emerged as a major national tourism and cultural destination following the development of the Statue of Unity complex.

The 72nd National Film Awards, whose winners were announced in July, will therefore be the first edition to have its presentation ceremony outside Delhi.

President Murmu to Present Awards

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on September 22. The ceremony will bring together leading actors, filmmakers and other professionals recognised for their contribution to Indian cinema.

The move also places the awards ceremony against the backdrop of one of Gujarat’s most prominent tourist destinations, with the Statue of Unity serving as the centrepiece of the Ekta Nagar development.

Statue of Unity Adds Significance to Venue

Kevadia was renamed Ekta Nagar and is home to the Statue of Unity, a 597-foot monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 and is recognised as the world's tallest statue.

The venue has since developed into a major destination featuring tourism, hospitality, public attractions and large-scale events.

Holding the National Film Awards there gives the annual ceremony a setting outside the country's traditional film and administrative centres while placing the event in a location closely associated with national heritage and tourism.

72nd National Film Awards Winners

The 72nd National Film Awards recognised films released during 2024, with honours announced across feature films, performances and several technical categories.

Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award for the film. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor honour for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion respectively.

Rajkumar Periasamy was named Best Director for Amaran, while Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Kalki 2898 AD received the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Captain Miller was recognised in the category for Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.

A New Chapter for the National Awards

The move to Ekta Nagar makes the 72nd National Film Awards distinct even before the trophies are presented. After decades of ceremonies centred in Delhi, the shift to Gujarat represents the first major change in the geographical setting of the awards since their inception.

With President Murmu scheduled to present the honours on September 22, the ceremony at Ekta Nagar will mark a historic break from the National Film Awards' long association with Delhi.