Cinema VinesThe 72nd National Film Awards were held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on Tuesday, breaking with the recent pattern of presenting the ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The event marked a shift toward celebrating cinema in India’s tourist destinations, a move championed by the government’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
President Droupadi Murmu opened the ceremony with a message to the film fraternity, urging actors and other artistes, especially those popular with children and young audiences, to use their influence responsibly. She highlighted the need for performers to promote disciplined, healthy lifestyles and to avoid endorsing harmful substances. The President also called for greater dignity and social security for workers in the creative economy, including assistants, small artists and those struggling to establish themselves.
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. In the acting categories, Yami Gautam took home Best Actress for her role in “Article 370,” while Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared Best Actor for “Bramayugam” and “Chandu Champion,” respectively. Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Direction for “Amaran,” and Randeep Hooda was honoured for his directorial debut “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.”
The awards also recognised films in languages beyond the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution: “Dholi” earned Best Garhwali Film, “IMBU” was named Best Tulu Film, and “Angen” received Best Debut Film of a Director. “Kalki 2898 AD” won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while “Captain Miller” was awarded Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the National Film Awards would now be held at tourist destinations across the country, aiming to bring the ceremony “beyond a conference room” and link it with India’s tourism and cultural heritage. He invited states and union territories to propose suitable locations, ensuring they have adequate facilities and a plan for overall development. The ministry also revealed that the next World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will take place in October 2027.
