Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Paresh Rawal Defends Gujarat Venue for National Film Awards
The National Film Awards are usually held in Delhi.
This time, the ceremony will be held in Gujarat instead.
It is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia.
Actor Paresh Rawal said Gujarat is part of India and should host important national events too.
The government said it wants different parts of the country to host the ceremony.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan jointly won Best Actor.
Yami Gautam won Best Actress for Article 370.
Article 370 also won Best Feature Film, and Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director.
Paresh Rawal defended moving the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony from Delhi to Gujarat.
The ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Kevadia.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said future ceremonies may be hosted in different parts of India.
Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan jointly won Best Actor, while Yami Gautam won Best Actress.
Article 370 won Best Feature Film, while Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
- Who
- Paresh Rawal, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards.
- What
- The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony is moving from its traditional Delhi venue to Gujarat.
- When
- The ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2026; Rawal commented on the venue on September 11, 2026.
- Where
- Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Kevadia, rather than Delhi.
- Why
- The ministry said the awards will be hosted in different parts of India, while Rawal argued that major events should not be limited to the national capital.
Traditional Delhi Venue
Regional Hosting
Where the ceremony should be held
Traditional Delhi Venue
Critics of the move point to the long-standing practice of holding the National Film Awards ceremony in Delhi and view the change as a departure from tradition.
Regional Hosting
Paresh Rawal said the ceremony should not be restricted to Delhi and that every Indian state should have the opportunity to host it.
Reason for changing venues
Traditional Delhi Venue
The shift has sparked debate because it breaks with the established national-capital venue.
Regional Hosting
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said taking the awards beyond Delhi would give different regions an opportunity to host the event.
- Ceremony
- 72nd National Film Awards
- Date
- September 22, 2026
- Venue
- Ekta Nagar, Gujarat’s Kevadia
- Best Actor
- Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan jointly won for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion.
- Best Actress
- Yami Gautam for Article 370
- Best Feature Film
- Article 370
- Best Debut Director
- Randeep Hooda for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
