72nd National Film Awards 2026: Key Highlights from the Gujarat Ceremony

The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 marked an important moment in the history of Indian cinema as the prestigious award ceremony was held outside New Delhi for the first time. The ceremony took place on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, near the iconic Statue of Unity. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to several leading personalities from Indian cinema.

The awards recognised films and performances from 2024 and brought together actors, filmmakers and other members of the Indian film industry. Around 92 winners were honoured across different categories.

National Film Awards Move Beyond New Delhi

For several decades, the main National Film Awards ceremony had been associated with New Delhi. The decision to move the 72nd edition to Gujarat therefore became one of the most notable aspects of this year's event.

Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, was selected as the venue. Located near the Statue of Unity, the destination provided a different setting for one of India's most important film award ceremonies.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has connected the move with the concept of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, highlighting cultural unity and India's diversity. The government has also indicated that future editions could be organised in different states rather than being permanently hosted in Delhi.

Anant Nag Honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

One of the biggest highlights of the 72nd National Film Awards was the presentation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag.

Anant Nag has enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades and has made a significant contribution to Kannada cinema. He has also worked in films across different Indian languages.

Born on September 4, 1948, Nag is the younger brother of late actor-director Shankar Nag. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2025.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest national honour for an individual's contribution to Indian cinema. It includes a Swarna Kamal, a shawl and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.

Article 370 Wins Best Feature Film

Several prominent films and performers received recognition at this year's awards.

Article 370 was named Best Feature Film, while Kalki 2898 AD received the award for Best Popular Feature Film. These recognitions reflected the range of films represented at the 72nd edition.

The acting categories also featured some major names from Indian cinema. Yami Gautam received the Best Actress award, while the Best Actor honour was shared by Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.

For Kartik Aaryan, the recognition was particularly significant as it marked his first National Film Award.

Rajkumar Periasamy Wins Best Direction

Director Rajkumar Periasamy received the Best Direction award for Amaran. The awards also recognised popular productions such as Pushpa: The Rule Part 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2.

The 72nd edition covered work from a wide range of Indian languages, including Marathi, Santhali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu and Garhwali.

Santhali Cinema Gets Major Recognition

Another notable achievement came in the Non-Feature Film category. Bhangaar became the first Santhali-language film to receive the Best Non-Feature Film honour.

The recognition highlights the increasing visibility of regional and tribal-language filmmaking at the national level. It also reflects the linguistic diversity of India's film industry.

How the National Film Awards Were Selected

The 72nd National Film Awards attracted entries from different sections of the Indian film industry. The submissions included 400 feature films, 161 non-feature films, 38 books and 24 critics' submissions.

The selection process involved regional committees that initially examined the entries. A central committee then made the final selections across the various categories.

The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) administers the National Film Awards.

Kartik Aaryan Reaches Ekta Nagar

Ahead of the ceremony, Kartik Aaryan reached Ekta Nagar and shared photographs from the Statue of Unity on social media. His presence attracted attention as he prepared to receive his first National Film Award for Chandu Champion.

The ceremony brought together established names such as Anant Nag and Mammootty alongside younger performers and filmmakers.

A New Chapter for the National Film Awards

The 72nd National Film Awards combined the traditional recognition of Indian cinema with a major change in the location of the ceremony. Holding the event in Gujarat represented a departure from the awards' long association with New Delhi.

With the Statue of Unity providing the backdrop, the 2026 ceremony showcased India's cinematic achievements while also highlighting the country's regional and linguistic diversity.

The recognition of Anant Nag, the success of films such as Article 370 and Kalki 2898 AD, and the achievements of performers including Yami Gautam, Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan made the 72nd edition a significant event for Indian cinema.

Read the full National Film Awards 2026 report here:  https://jabalpurtoday.com/entertainment/72nd-national-film-awards-2026-president-murmu-to-honour-top-winners/