07 September,2026 08:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
President Droupadi Murmu and Shah Rukh Khan`s pic via Instagram
The National Film Awards are set to break their decade-long tradition this year. For the first time, the prestigious ceremony is expected to head out of New Delhi, with Gujarat likely to host the 72nd edition. According to PTI, the awards will be held in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar on September 22, marking the first time in the history of the National Film Awards that the ceremony will be conducted outside Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu is expected to make her arrival in Gujarat later this month. She is reportedly expected to head to Ekta Nagar to present the 72nd National Film Awards.
Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is renowned for the Statue of Unity, Gujarat's iconic landmark and the world's tallest statue. The 597-foot monument, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. Ekta Nagar's association with the Statue of Unity will add another iconic landmark to this year's celebrations.
The proposed venue marks a major change from the long-standing tradition of conducting the National Film Award ceremony in the national capital. Over the years, the award ceremony has been held at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan, with the President traditionally handing over the prestigious honours to the winners.
The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were announced in July, with several renowned names from Indian cinema added to the list. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan will receive the Best Actor award for their performances in Bramayugam and Chandu Champion. Randeep Hooda will be awarded Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while the film's lead actress Yami Gautam will receive the Best Actress honour for her performance. Meanwhile, this year saw Kalki 2898 AD as the Best Popular Film, with Aanand L Rai winning Best Direction in the non-feature category for Statue of Unity - Ekta ka Prateek.
