The 72nd National Film Awards are set to make history this year as the prestigious ceremony moves out of Delhi and heads to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours to the winners on September 22, 2026, at a special venue near the Statue of Unity.
The move marks a major change in the long-standing tradition surrounding the National Film Awards and will bring filmmakers, actors, technicians and other members of the Indian film industry together in Gujarat.
National Film Awards Move to Gujarat
The 72nd edition of the National Film Awards will be held at Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, in Gujarat's Narmada district.
The venue is located near the iconic Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The decision to move the ceremony beyond the National Capital has been described by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as a policy initiative aimed at taking the National Film Awards to different parts of the country.
According to the ministry, the initiative is intended to reflect the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and bring cinematic talent from across India to different regions.
First Major Shift in Decades
The move to Gujarat is particularly significant because the National Film Awards have traditionally been associated with Delhi.
The awards were instituted in 1954, and the ceremony has been held in the national capital on numerous occasions. However, the event has been organised outside Delhi in the past as well. The 17th and 18th editions were held in Madras, now Chennai, in 1970 and 1971.
The 2026 ceremony nevertheless represents a major shift because the awards are now being taken to another part of the country after several decades.
President Droupadi Murmu to Present the Awards
President Droupadi Murmu will present the 72nd National Film Awards on September 22.
A total of 92 winners are expected to receive honours at the ceremony, which will bring together prominent names from India's film industry along with technicians and other creative professionals.
A specially constructed venue is being prepared near the Statue of Unity, with arrangements for around 1,000 guests, along with security and protocol measures.
Article 370 Wins Best Feature Film
Among the major winners announced earlier this year, Article 370 has emerged as the recipient of the Best Feature Film award.
The film's lead actress Yami Gautam has also been named Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance.
The awards recognise Indian cinema released during 2024, with winners selected across feature films, non-feature films and other categories.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan Share Best Actor Honour
The Best Actor in a Leading Role award will be shared by two prominent performers.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has been recognised for his performance in Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan has won for his role in Chandu Champion.
The joint recognition makes this year's Best Actor category particularly notable, bringing together two actors from different generations and language industries.
Randeep Hooda Wins Best Debut Director
Actor Randeep Hooda has also earned a major honour at the 72nd National Film Awards.
Hooda has been named Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, his directorial debut based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The recognition adds another milestone to Hooda's career, extending his contribution to Indian cinema from acting into filmmaking.
Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa 2 and Stree 2 Among Major Winners
Several commercially successful films have also received recognition at the 72nd National Film Awards.
Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD has won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Meanwhile, Dhanush-starrer Captain Miller has been recognised as the Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
Other major films receiving honours include Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Amaran, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2.
National Film Awards Celebrate India's Diversity
The 72nd National Film Awards will also highlight India's linguistic and cultural diversity.
Awards this year recognise films and creative work across languages including Marathi, Santhali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu and Garhwali, among others.
The ministry has also noted a significant first for the Santhali film industry, with a Santhali film being honoured in the Non-Feature Film section of the National Film Awards.
Ceremony Set for September 22
With preparations underway at Ekta Nagar, the 72nd National Film Awards will bring some of the biggest names in Indian cinema together against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity.
The September 22 ceremony is expected to be an important moment not only for this year's winners but also for the National Film Awards themselves, as the prestigious event begins a new chapter by moving beyond Delhi.
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