Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) Gujarat is set to host the 72nd National Film Awards for the first time as the prestigious ceremony moves out of New Delhi and to Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar, home to the Statue of Unity, with President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to present the awards on September 22.
The development marks a departure from the long-standing tradition of holding the National Film Awards in the national capital.
The awards were instituted in 1954 and have predominantly been presented in New Delhi, although the ceremony has been held outside the national capital on rare occasions, including in Chennai in 1971.
President Murmu will visit Gujarat for three days from September 21 and will preside over the national award ceremony at the Statue of Unity during her visit.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will also be present at the ceremony, according to state government spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani.
Vaghani said the hosting of the National Film Awards at the Statue of Unity is a significant occasion for Gujarat, noting that “it was the first time the prestigious ceremony is being organised outside the national capital in the state’s history”.
The ceremony is expected to bring together leading names from the Indian film industry, including actors, directors, producers, technicians and other artists.
The awards recognise achievements in Indian cinema across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema, covering films released in 2024.
The 72nd edition will honour several prominent names and films.
‘Article 370’ has been named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam has been named Best Actress for the film.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan will share the Best Actor award for their performances in ‘Bramayugam’ and ‘Chandu Champion’, respectively.
Randeep Hooda has been named Best Debut Director for ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’.
The choice of Ekta Nagar also places the ceremony against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity, the 182-metre monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
A film on the Statue of Unity is itself among the works being recognised at this year’s awards, with filmmaker Aanand L Rai receiving the Best Direction award in the non-feature category for ‘Statue of Unity — Ekta Ka Prateek’.
“President Murmu’s Gujarat visit would not be limited to the National Film Awards ceremony and she would also participate in other important programmes in the state,” Vaghani said.
The Chief Minister was briefed in detail about the arrangements and preparations during a Cabinet meeting.
Vaghani added that the state government had initiated the necessary administrative and organisational preparations for the national-level event.
Preparations are also underway at the Statue of Unity complex in Ekta Nagar.
A specially constructed temporary venue is being prepared to accommodate the President, award recipients and other guests, with nearly 1,000 people expected to attend.
–IANS
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