National Film Awards 2026: Historic Shift As Ceremony Moves Out Of Delhi For The First Time
National Film Awards will be held outside Delhi for the first time ever. Know when and where the 72nd ceremony takes place this September.
A Break From 72 Years Of Tradition
For the first time in its history, the National Film Awards ceremony will not be held in Delhi. The 72nd edition of India’s most prestigious cinema honours is moving to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, marking a significant departure from a tradition that has held since 1954. This shift in venue for the National Film Awards has caught the attention of the film industry, with many calling it one of the most notable changes in the award’s long history.
President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the ceremony and confer the honours in person, according to officials who confirmed the details on Monday. For film lovers wondering exactly when and where this year’s National Film Awards will take place, here is everything that has been confirmed so far.
When And Where Will The National Film Awards Be Held?
According to news agency PTI, the National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, in Gujarat, on September 22. This is the first time in the award’s 72-year history that the ceremony has moved outside the national capital.
Ekta Nagar is home to the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Standing at 597 feet, the statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 and has since become one of the country’s most recognised landmarks — making it a fitting and symbolic new setting for the National Film Awards.
Why Has The Venue Changed After So Many Years?
The very first National Awards ceremony was held in 1954 at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, which has hosted the majority of the ceremonies ever since. The 72nd edition, whose winners were announced in July, breaks decisively from that decades-long tradition by shifting the National Film Awards presentation to Gujarat.
While officials have not detailed every reason behind the move, the choice of Ekta Nagar — a location built around national symbolism and Sardar Patel’s legacy — signals an attempt to give this year’s National Film Awards ceremony a distinct identity and wider visibility beyond Delhi.
Who Are This Year’s Big Winners?
This year’s National Film Awards list is headlined by “Article 370,” which has been named Best Feature Film. The film’s lead actress, Yami Gautam, has won the Best Actress award for her performance in the film.
The Best Actor honour has been jointly awarded to Malayalam superstar Mammootty, for his role in “Bramayugam,” and Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, for his performance in “Chandu Champion.” Actor Randeep Hooda has received the Best Debut Director award for “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,” his biographical film on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
What Does This Mean For The Film Industry And Public?
The decision to hold the National Film Awards outside Delhi for the first time is being seen as a symbolic moment for Indian cinema. For the film fraternity, it represents a departure from a familiar, decades-old venue and format, while for the public, it puts a national spotlight on Ekta Nagar as a cultural and tourism destination alongside its existing identity as home to the Statue of Unity.
With President Murmu confirmed to attend and present the honours, the ceremony is expected to draw significant national media coverage, giving both the awards and the venue considerable visibility in the days leading up to September 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where will the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony be held?
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony will be held in Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia), Gujarat — the first time in the award’s 72-year history that it has been held outside Delhi.
Q2. When will the National Film Awards ceremony take place?
The ceremony is scheduled for September 22, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the awards.
Q3. Which film won Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards this year?
“Article 370” has won the Best Feature Film award, with its lead actress Yami Gautam winning Best Actress.
Q4. Who won the Best Actor award at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan have jointly won the Best Actor award, for “Bramayugam” and “Chandu Champion” respectively.
Q5. Why is Ekta Nagar significant as the new venue?
Ekta Nagar, previously known as Kevadia, is home to the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in 2018.
Conclusion
The decision to move the National Film Awards ceremony out of Delhi for the first time since 1954 marks a genuinely historic moment for Indian cinema. With President Droupadi Murmu set to honour this year’s winners — including “Article 370,” Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Randeep Hooda — at Ekta Nagar on September 22, all eyes will be on how this new setting reshapes the identity of India’s most prestigious film awards going forward.
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