National Film Awards leave Delhi after 72 years
The September 22 ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, with Telugu cinema among the honourees. Delhi has been asked to share.
The National Film Awards ceremony will be held at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on September 22.
The National Film Awards are leaving Delhi for the first time, with the 72nd ceremony scheduled for September 22 at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat. The President of India will present the awards, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. (PIB)
The ministry calls the move a “major policy initiative” to hold the ceremony in different parts of the country, beyond the national capital, and says the Ekta Nagar event will reflect “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. The first-time move outside Delhi has been corroborated by multiple reports. The ministry has not published a rotation schedule or explained why Gujarat was selected. (PIB; The Indian Express)
Telugu cinema will have a visible stake. Kalki 2898 AD won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, 35–Chinna Katha Kaadu won Best Children’s Film, and Pushpa: The Rule Part-02 was recognised for screenplay in the July award list. The films being honoured are from 2024. (PIB; PIB)
Delhi held the ceremony for more than seven decades. Gujarat gets the red carpet this year; the ministry still owes everyone the itinerary.