For the first time in their 72-year history, the National Film Awards ceremony is moving out of Delhi.
The 72nd National Film Awards will be presented at Kevadia, now known as Ekta Nagar, in Gujarat, on September 22, with President Droupadi Murmu set to confer the honours.
The shift marks a major break from tradition. Since the first National Film Awards ceremony in 1954, Delhi — particularly Vigyan Bhawan — has been the customary venue for the prestigious event.
And this year, the backdrop will be very different.
Instead of Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, the ceremony will take place in Ekta Nagar, home to the Statue of Unity, the 597-foot monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The move puts one of India’s biggest cinematic honours against one of the country’s most prominent tourism landmarks.
Kevadia — officially renamed Ekta Nagar — has been developed around the Statue of Unity complex and has increasingly emerged as a major destination for large national events.
The decision also takes the National Film Awards beyond the national capital for the first time since the awards were instituted.
The 72nd National Film Awards, announced in July, honour films certified in 2024.
The winners include major honours across feature films, non-feature films, writing and other categories, making the September ceremony the formal presentation of the awards.
The move therefore isn't just a venue change — it marks a visible departure from one of the longest-running traditions associated with the National Film Awards.
For decades, the visual identity of the National Film Awards has been closely tied to Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan.
This year, that familiar backdrop will be replaced by Ekta Nagar and the Statue of Unity.
In short: India’s biggest film honours are leaving Delhi — at least for this edition — and heading to Gujarat.