The 72nd National Film Awards will be presented on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, moving the prestigious ceremony away from Delhi after decades. President Droupadi Murmu will present the honours to 92 winners at a specially prepared venue near the Statue of Unity, giving this year’s ceremony a setting very different from the familiar Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital.
The change is significant because the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has now said the National Film Awards will be held in different parts of the country, taking the ceremony beyond the national capital. Gujarat therefore represents more than a new location for one evening. It signals a wider approach to presenting India’s highest national cinema honours across different regions.
The National Film Awards have been presented since 1954, and Delhi has been their usual home for most of their history. However, Gujarat is not the first place outside Delhi to host the ceremony. The 17th National Film Awards were presented at the University Centenary Auditorium in Madras, now Chennai, on November 21, 1970. The importance of the 2026 event is that it breaks the long Delhi tradition that followed that earlier exception.
The new venue adds another layer to the occasion. The ceremony will take place in the Ekta Nagar area of Narmada district, beside the Statue of Unity, which stands 182 metres tall. A German aluminium structural dome is being installed in the Bus Bay area of the complex, with seating and other facilities for around 1,000 guests. The ceremony is expected to last about 75 minutes, with security and protocol arrangements being made for the President and other dignitaries.
The films and artists being honoured make the occasion equally important. Article 370 has won Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam has been named Best Actress for the same film. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan share Best Actor honours for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion. Randeep Hooda has won Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, adding a major recognition to his first film as a director.
The awards also reflect the range of Indian cinema. Kalki 2898 AD has won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while Rajkumar Periasamy has received Best Direction for Amaran. Captain Miller has been recognised for promoting national, social and environmental values. Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Stree 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 have also received major honours, showing that popular cinema has a strong place alongside other forms of filmmaking.
Recognition extends beyond feature films. Bhangaar has won Best Non-Feature Film, while Ram-Nami has received Best Documentary. Santhali cinema also has a notable presence through Angen, directed by Ravi Raj Murmu, which won Best Debut Film of a Director in the Non-Feature Film section. Aanand L Rai has also been recognised for directing Statue of Unity – Ekta ka Prateek, creating an unusual connection between the awards and their new home.
That connection captures what makes this year’s ceremony worth watching. For audiences, the shift also makes the national awards feel closer nationwide. The National Film Awards are not simply about trophies; they bring together filmmakers, actors, technicians and stories from across India. Taking the ceremony beyond Delhi can give that national character a more visible physical form and place different regions closer to the centre of the country’s biggest cinema celebration.
On September 22, the Statue of Unity will therefore become more than a landmark surrounding a major event. It will provide the backdrop for an awards ceremony that is changing its relationship with the country. If the new approach continues, the National Film Awards could become a travelling celebration of Indian cinema, bringing the country’s many film cultures into the spotlight from different parts of India.
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