72nd National Film Awards to Be Held at Ekta Nagar on 22 September

The 72nd National Film Awards will be presented at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat, on 22 September 2026, with the President of India conferring the honours for achievements in cinema for the year 2024. Preparations at the venue are in their final stages.

Veteran actor Anant Nag will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema. His career spans more than five decades, with a body of work that has left a lasting mark on Kannada and Indian film.

Among the top honours, Article 370 has been adjudged Best Feature Film, while Bhangaar has been named Best Non-Feature Film and Ram-Nami Best Documentary.

In the acting categories, Mammootty has been selected for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Bramayugam, sharing the honour with Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion. Yami Gautam will receive the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370. Randeep Hooda has been selected for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Other films to be recognised across categories include Kalki 2898 AD, Amaran, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2, reflecting the range of languages, regions and formats covered by the awards.

Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards are among the most prestigious honours for Indian cinema, recognising excellence in Feature Films, Non-Feature Films and Writing on Cinema.

This edition also marks a shift in how the ceremony is held. By moving the event to Ekta Nagar, the National Film Awards are being taken beyond the National Capital. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to hold the celebration in different parts of the country in the coming years, bringing it closer to various regions and showcasing India's cultural and cinematic diversity.

With the stage set, filmmakers, actors, technicians and others from the film fraternity will gather at Ekta Nagar for the ceremony.