Stars descend on Kevadia as 72nd National Film Awards make Gujarat debut

Celebrities have begun arriving in Gujarat ahead of the 72nd National Film Awards, which will be held in the state for the first time. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday at Kevadia, with President Droupadi Murmu set to present the honours recognising outstanding achievement in Indian cinema for 2024.

Actor Kartik Aaryan, who is set to receive his first National Award for his performance in Chandu Champion, visited the Statue of Unity at Kevadia ahead of the event. He also sampled traditional Gujarati fare, including theplas, during his time in the state. His parents have travelled to Kevadia to be with him for the occasion.

Speaking to those gathered, Aaryan said he was overjoyed at the recognition. "I have received my first National Award for Chandu Champion. I am truly, incredibly happy—my entire family is overjoyed, and our whole team is thrilled," he said. He added that the film had inspired many people, particularly with its focus on Paralympians, and thanked the jury and audiences across India.

Music composer GV Prakash Kumar also arrived in Vadodara to collect his award. He said it was his first visit to the city and that he was looking forward to seeing the Statue of Unity. The honour is his third National Film Award.

Instituted in 1954, the National Awards are among Indian cinema's most prestigious recognitions, covering Feature Films, Non-Feature Films and Writing on Cinema across a wide range of languages, regions and forms of filmmaking.

Kevadia is home to the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Statue of Unity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the monument, the world's tallest statue, to the nation on October 31, 2018.