Historic Shift of National Film Awards to Kevadia, Gujarat
In a historic departure from tradition, the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is set to be held outside the national capital, Delhi, for the first time since its inception in 1954. Historically hosted at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, this year’s prestigious event will take place on September 22 in Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat—home to the iconic Statue of Unity. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honors to the winners.
However, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s (MIB) decision to move the venue away from Delhi has triggered a lively debate among filmmakers, industry stakeholders, and political commentators. Several critics raised questions about selecting Gujarat as the host state, arguing that traditional cinematic hubs such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana have contributed more extensively to Indian cinema.
Paresh Rawal Hits Back at Venue Shift Critics
Responding to the growing controversy, veteran actor and former Member of Parliament Paresh Rawal strongly defended the government’s decision to organize the ceremony in Kevadia. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Rawal fired back at critics who opposed choosing Gujarat over traditional entertainment capitals.
“Is Gujarat in Bangladesh or Pakistan? It is also a part of our own country. Why shouldn’t this event be held in Gujarat? Events should be held in Gujarat too,” Rawal remarked emphatically.
Addressing concerns over moving the event away from the national capital, Rawal argued that major official functions should not remain localized in Delhi indefinitely. “The Republic Day parade on January 26 takes place in Delhi. Therefore, such celebratory national functions should be held in every state. I say such events should take place in every state across India. There is nothing wrong with that,” he added.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Cites ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’
Amid ongoing public debate, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) released an official statement clarifying the vision behind relocating the ceremony. According to the ministry, holding the event outside New Delhi represents a broader policy shift aimed at decentralizing national cultural celebrations.
“In a major policy initiative, it has been decided by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to hold National Film Awards in various parts of the country, taking them beyond the National Capital,” the official statement read. The MIB emphasized that hosting the 72nd edition in Ekta Nagar aligns with the national philosophy of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,’ bringing together artistic talent from every corner of India under one roof.
Key Winners of the 72nd National Film Awards
The 72nd National Film Awards celebrates outstanding achievements across Indian cinema. Among the key highlights of this year’s awards:
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Best Feature Film: Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale.
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Best Actress: Yami Gautam for her leading role in Article 370.
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Best Actor (Shared): Mammootty for the Malayalam horror-thriller Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for the sports drama Chandu Champion.
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Best Debut Director: Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
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Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Nag Ashwin’s Telugu epic Kalki 2898 AD.
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Award for Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: Arun Matheswaran’s Tamil action drama Captain Miller, starring Dhanush.
