National Film Awards Row: Paresh Rawal Hits Back at Critics Over Gujarat Venue
National Film Awards 2026 will be held outside Delhi for the first time in Gujarat, sparking controversy. Paresh Rawal has now reacted sharply.
A Historic Shift Sparks Debate
For the first time in seven decades, the National Film Awards ceremony is moving out of Delhi. The 72nd National Film Awards will be held in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, marking a break from a tradition that has held since the very first ceremony. The decision has triggered debate, with critics questioning why the National Film Awards venue has shifted away from the national capital for the first time in its history.
Amid the growing discussion, actor Paresh Rawal has now broken his silence on the National Film Awards controversy, offering a pointed response to those raising objections.
What Did Paresh Rawal Say?
Reacting to the criticism surrounding the National Film Awards being held in Gujarat, Paresh Rawal asked why the state should be treated as though it lies outside India. Speaking to news agency ANI, he questioned whether Gujarat was located in Bangladesh or Pakistan, stressing that it remains very much a part of the country. He added that there is nothing wrong with hosting such events in Gujarat, and argued that award ceremonies of this scale should ideally be held across different states rather than being confined to one city.
His comments have added a new layer to the ongoing National Film Awards debate, with supporters and critics of the venue change now weighing in from opposing sides.
Why Is the National Film Awards Venue Change Significant?
The National Film Awards have been held predominantly in Delhi since the very first ceremony in 1954, when the event took place at Vigyan Bhawan. Since then, the capital has remained the traditional host city for nearly every edition. The 72nd National Film Awards, announced in July, breaks with that 72-year pattern by moving the ceremony to Ekta Nagar, home to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to present the awards on 22 September, lending the event its usual presidential stature even as its location marks a clear departure from precedent.
Who Won Big at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Alongside the venue debate, the National Film Awards results themselves have drawn attention. Article 370 has been named Best Feature Film, with lead actor Yami Gautam winning Best Actress for her role in the film.
The Best Actor award has been shared jointly between Malayalam superstar Mammootty, honoured for Bramayugam, and Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, recognised for Chandu Champion. Actor Randeep Hooda has also been awarded Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, his biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Public Reaction to the National Film Awards Controversy
The decision to move the National Film Awards outside Delhi has split opinion. Critics argue that shifting a historic, Delhi-centric ceremony to Gujarat carries political undertones, given the state’s association with the current ruling establishment. Supporters, including Paresh Rawal, counter that decentralising national events across different states is a positive step rather than a political statement.
This divide reflects a broader conversation in Indian public life about representation and regional balance in national institutions — one the National Film Awards venue change has now placed squarely in the spotlight.
What Happens Next?
With the ceremony date fixed for 22 September and President Droupadi Murmu confirmed to attend, the National Film Awards will go ahead in Gujarat despite the ongoing criticism. How the event is received, and whether future editions continue to move between states, remains to be seen. For now, the National Film Awards controversy looks set to continue running alongside coverage of the awards themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony being held?
Ans. The ceremony will be held in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat — the first time in its 72-year history that the National Film Awards are being held outside Delhi.
Q. What did Paresh Rawal say about the National Film Awards controversy?
Ans. Paresh Rawal defended the decision, asking why Gujarat should be treated differently since it is part of India, and said such events should be held across various states.
Q. Who will present the National Film Awards in 2026?
Ans. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards on 22 September.
Q. Which film won Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards?
Ans. Article 370 won Best Feature Film, with its lead actor Yami Gautam winning Best Actress.
Q. Who won Best Actor at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Ans. The Best Actor award was shared jointly by Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.
Conclusion
The National Film Awards moving to Gujarat for the first time in 72 years has turned into more than just a venue change — it has sparked a wider debate about tradition, representation, and politics in India’s cultural institutions. With Paresh Rawal publicly backing the decision and the ceremony set to go ahead on 22 September under President Droupadi Murmu, the National Film Awards controversy is likely to remain a talking point even as attention turns to the winners themselves, including Article 370, Yami Gautam, Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, and Randeep Hooda.
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