The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on 22 September, taking the presentation outside Delhi for the first time in the awards’ 72-year history. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours, officials said on Monday.
National Film Awards ceremony shifts to Ekta Nagar
Ekta Nagar | 7 Sep 2026 The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on 22 September, taking the presentation outside New Delhi for the first time in the awards’ 72-year history. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours, officials said on Monday.
National Film Awards ceremony moves to Ekta Nagar
Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is located in Gujarat’s Narmada district and is home to the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The decision marks a significant departure from the awards’ long-established association with New Delhi. The inaugural National Film Awards ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan in 1954, and the venue has hosted most subsequent editions.
President Murmu is expected to present the awards during her scheduled visit to Gujarat. She is also due to attend the convocation of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a Brahma Kumaris programme in Padra on 23 September.
Article 370 leads 72nd National Film Awards winners
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards on 18 July. The awards recognise Indian films certified during 2024 across feature films, non-feature productions and writing on cinema.
Article 370, produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios and directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won Best Feature Film. Its lead actor Yami Gautam received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan were jointly named Best Actor in a Leading Role. Mammootty was recognised for his performance in the Malayalam film Bramayugam, while Aaryan won for portraying Indian Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion.
Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The biographical drama also featured Hooda in the title role.
Kalki 2898 AD, Bhangaar and Ram-Nami among major winners
Kalki 2898 AD was selected as the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Other prominent films receiving honours included Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Amaran, Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Bhangaar won Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami received the Best Documentary award. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai won Best Direction in the non-feature category for Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek, creating a direct thematic connection with the ceremony’s new location.
The presentation ceremony will formally confer the medals, certificates and cash awards on the winners announced in July. Detailed arrangements and the final programme are expected to be released closer to the event.
