by Satinder Mohan
It is for the first time that 72nd National Film Award function was not held in VigyanBhawan New Delhi, but was held at Ekta Nagar Kevaria in Gujarat on 22nd September 2026. All the National film award functions were earlier held at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in his address said that the National Film Award functions are being taken to the country’s best tourist destinations, inspired by the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take national events beyond conventional venues and connect them with destinations across the country.
The Minister said that Ekta Nagar has gained recognition across the world and is a highly attractive destination, home to the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called “Statue of Unity”. He added that when the Hon’ble President of India and leading personalities from the Indian film industry from across the country visit such a renowned tourist destination, it would provide an opportunity for more people to learn about and experience the destination.
The Minister recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the G20, its events were taken to different parts of the country and held across various States. He said that the National Film Award functions are also being taken across the country as part of a larger thought process to explore how film and tourism can be brought together.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said that bringing film and tourism together would benefit the tourist destination as well as enable the National Film Award function to move beyond a conference room and reach real physical destinations across the country..
The Minister said that the endeavor is to take the National Film Award function beyond a conference room and bring them closer to the people, while promoting and advancing them through tourism.
Ashwini Vaishnaw invited all States to submit proposals identifying their best tourism destinations for hosting the National Film Award function. He said that the proposals should include the best facilities as well as a plan for 360-degree development of the destination. The State whose proposal is selected will host the subsequent National Film Award function at the proposed tourist destination.
It is for the first time in the history of NFA functions that the award winners/ jury members and other guests were taken for excursions. All the guests were taken to Statue of Unity. In addition, they were asked to choose any one tourist spot from the list of 7 destinations such as, Jungle Safari, Flower Garden, Cactus Park, Dam, Miyawaki Forest, Butterfly Garden and Narmada Aarti.
