Why is India's National Film Awards moving out of Delhi for the first time?

Highlights

• The 72nd National Film Awards are expected to be held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, instead of New Delhi
• The proposed venue is home to the Statue of Unity, giving the ceremony a strong connection to one of Gujarat’s major landmarks
• President Droupadi Murmu is expected to present the awards during her Gujarat visit later this month

For decades, the National Film Awards have had a familiar setting: New Delhi, with the President presenting the country’s top film honors to the winners.

That tradition could change this year.

The 72nd National Film Awards are expected to be presented in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, during President Droupadi Murmu’s scheduled visit to the state later this month. If confirmed, it would mark the first time the prestigious ceremony has moved outside the national capital.

So, why is the ceremony moving to Gujarat, and why Ekta Nagar?

Why is the ceremony moving out of Delhi?

The proposed change appears to be linked to the President’s Gujarat visit. Murmu is expected to travel to Ekta Nagar as part of that visit, creating an opportunity for the National Film Awards ceremony to be held there.

The move would break from the recent tradition of hosting the event at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, where the President has traditionally presented the honors.

However, the reports currently describe Ekta Nagar as the likely venue, so the change should not be treated as an officially confirmed permanent relocation of the awards.

Why was Ekta Nagar chosen?

Ekta Nagar is best known as the home of the Statue of Unity, one of Gujarat’s most prominent landmarks.

That connection is particularly relevant to this year’s awards because the Statue of Unity itself features in the National Film Awards. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai won Best Direction in the non-feature category for Statue of Unity – Ekta Ka Prateek.

Holding the ceremony in Ekta Nagar would therefore give this year’s event an additional connection to the landmark that has become closely associated with the location.

What has happened with the 72nd National Film Awards?

The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi in July, honoring films released in 2024.

Among the major winners, Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam won Best Actress. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor award.

The awards themselves have already been announced. What is now changing is where the winners are expected to receive their honors.

Why does the move matter?

The significance goes beyond a change of venue.

The National Film Awards are among India's most prestigious film honors, and the ceremony has traditionally been closely associated with the capital and the presence of the President.

Taking the event to Ekta Nagar could signal a willingness to give the national ceremony a more prominent presence outside Delhi while connecting it with a major cultural and national landmark.

For now, the key development is that a ceremony long identified with New Delhi could have a very different backdrop this year.

If the Gujarat plan goes ahead, the 72nd National Film Awards will make history not because of a change to the awards themselves, but because of where the country's film industry will gather to receive them.