Ekta Nagar, Gujarat: The President of India will present the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, on September 22, bringing together leading filmmakers, actors, technicians and other professionals from across the Indian film industry.
The prestigious ceremony will honour outstanding contributions to Indian cinema for the year 2024, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.
Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards have evolved into one of India’s most respected platforms for recognising creative and technical excellence in filmmaking. Over the decades, the awards have celebrated the country’s diverse cinematic traditions, languages, cultures and storytelling forms.
National Film Awards to Reflect ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’
The 72nd edition is being organised at Ekta Nagar as part of an initiative to take the National Film Awards beyond the national capital.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been organising the ceremony at different locations across the country, reflecting the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and highlighting India’s cultural and regional diversity.
The choice of Ekta Nagar adds significance to the occasion, with the venue serving as a prominent national destination associated with India’s unity and development.
‘Article 370’ Named Best Feature Film
The 72nd National Film Awards have recognised films across a wide range of languages, genres and cinematic formats.
‘Article 370’ has been adjudged the Best Feature Film, while ‘Bhangaar’ has won the award for Best Non-Feature Film. ‘Ram-Nami’ has been selected as the Best Documentary.
The awards also recognise several films that have made an impact across different regional and mainstream cinematic traditions.
Among the films receiving honours in various categories are ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, ‘Amaran’, ‘Pushpa: The Rule Part-02’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ and ‘Stree 2’.
Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam Among Top Honourees
The acting categories feature major names from Indian cinema.
Mammootty has been named Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Bramayugam, while Kartik Aaryan will receive the same honour for Chandu Champion.
Yami Gautam has been named Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Article 370.
The awards also recognise achievements behind the camera. Randeep Hooda has been selected for the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Regional Cinema Gets Strong Representation
The awards underline the breadth of Indian cinema, with recognition extending across languages including Marathi, Santhali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu and Garhwali, among others.
A notable milestone this year is the recognition of a Santhali film in the Non-Feature Film section of the National Film Awards, adding another dimension to the celebration of India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
The awards continue to provide a national platform for films representing different communities, regions and cinematic traditions.
Recognition for Writing on Cinema
The National Film Awards also honour contributions to cinema beyond filmmaking and acting through their categories for writing on cinema.
Sanjeev Shrivastava has been named Best Film Critic.
The Best Book on Cinema award will be presented to Dr Pradeep Kenchanuru for his book Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Nanagaagi: Kannada Cinemada Thathva matthu Rajakeeya.
The book, translated as I Stand for You, the State Stands for Us: Political and Philosophical Dimensions of Kannada Cinema, has been published by Mirror Pusthaka.
Celebrating Seven Decades of Indian Cinema
The National Film Awards have played a significant role in documenting and celebrating the evolution of Indian cinema since their establishment in 1954.
From feature films and documentaries to non-feature productions and critical writing, the awards have created a national platform for recognising diverse forms of cinematic expression.
The 72nd edition continues that tradition while placing particular emphasis on India’s regional diversity and the contribution of filmmakers and artists working across different languages and formats.
The September 22 ceremony at Ekta Nagar is therefore set to be more than an awards presentation, bringing together different strands of India’s film culture under the broader idea of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
