NEW DELHI:
The National Film Awards ceremony will move out of Delhi for the first time in several years, with the 72nd edition scheduled to be held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 22, officials said.
President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at the ceremony, marking a departure from the long-standing tradition of holding the prestigious event in the national capital. Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, is home to the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The National Film Awards were first presented in 1954, with Delhi serving as the principal venue for the ceremony. Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital has hosted most editions over the decades.
However, the awards have occasionally been held outside Delhi. The 17th National Film Awards ceremony, for instance, was held in Chennai in 1971.
The 72nd National Film Awards were announced in July. The shift to Gujarat makes this year’s ceremony a notable departure from the established tradition.
Among the major winners, Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award. Malayalam superstar Mammootty and Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan will share the Best Actor honour for their performances in Bramayugam and Chandu Champion, respectively.
Actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda has been named Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Telugu science-fiction film Kalki 2898 AD will receive the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Tamil cinema also figures prominently among the winners. Arun Matheswaran’s Captain Miller, starring Dhanush, has been named Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
The decision to hold the ceremony at Ekta Nagar also places the National Film Awards in a venue closely associated with the Statue of Unity, one of India’s major tourism landmarks.