72nd National Film Awards Make Gujarat Debut

EKTA NAGAR :  The spotlight has been shifted from Delhi to Gujarat on Tuesday as Ekta Nagar in Kevadia hosts the 72nd National Film Awards, marking the first time in the awards’ history that the prestigious ceremony is being held outside the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at the ceremony on September 22, recognising achievements in Indian cinema for 2024. The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954 and have honoured creative and technical excellence across India’s diverse film industries for more than seven decades.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at around 4 pm and will bring together leading actors, filmmakers, technicians and government representatives.

Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty Among Star Winners

Among the prominent awardees are Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan, who will share the Best Actor in a Leading Role honour for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion, respectively. Yami Gautam will receive the Best Actress award for Article 370, which has also been named Best Feature Film.

The Gujarati film Maaran, directed by Abhishek Jain, has been selected as the Best Gujarati Film. The film will receive the Rajat Kamal along with the prescribed cash award.

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag will also receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Stars Arrive in Gujarat

Several film personalities have reached Gujarat ahead of the ceremony. Kartik Aaryan arrived in Kevadia, while Randeep Hooda, Mammootty, Dhanush and Padmini Kolhapure were among those who arrived in Vadodara.

The event venue has been prepared near the Statue of Unity, with arrangements made to accommodate guests and showcase Gujarati hospitality.

Actress Mamta Chopra described her visit to Ekta Nagar as a memorable experience, highlighting visits to the Statue of Unity, Narmada Dam, Ekta Nursery, Cactus Garden and Glow Garden.

“Kevadia is not merely a tourist destination; it also offers an opportunity to learn about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and experience India’s cultural diversity,” she said.

Awards To Travel Beyond Delhi

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision to take the National Film Awards to tourist destinations is intended to connect cinema with India’s cultural and tourism landscape.

“The National Film Awards will now travel to major tourist destinations across the country instead of remaining confined to conference rooms,” Vaishnaw said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said future editions will be held in different states and cities. States have been invited to nominate prominent tourist destinations for subsequent ceremonies, marking a broader shift in the way the national cinema honours are presented.