Veteran actor and politician Paresh Rawal has strongly defended the decision to host the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, dismissing criticism over the venue shift away from New Delhi. Scheduled for September 22, the prestigious ceremony will take place at Ekta Nagar near the Statue of Unity, marking a significant break from decades of tradition that kept the event anchored in the national capital.
The venue shift has sparked a wider debate across the Indian film industry and political circles regarding regional representation and the traditional centralization of national cultural events. While government officials frame the relocation as an effort to celebrate regional diversity across different states, several filmmakers and regional political figures have questioned why other major cinematic hubs were bypassed in favour of Gujarat.
Paresh Rawal Defends Venue Change With Blunt Remarks
Addressing the controversy during an interaction with the news agency ANI, Paresh Rawal dismissed objections raised by critics and politicians regarding the choice of venue. He questioned the logic of restricting national celebrations exclusively to the capital and argued that cultural honors belong to every part of the country equally.
"Is Gujarat in Bangladesh or Pakistan? It is also a part of our own country. Why shouldn't this event be held in Gujarat? Events should be held in Gujarat too... I say such events should take place in every state. There is nothing wrong with that," Rawal told reporters, while comparing the rotation of national functions to national parades and state-level civic observances.
Government Policy Shift and Historical Precedents
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that future editions of the National Film Awards will rotate through various parts of the country to embody the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. Instituted in 1954, the awards have traditionally been presented at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, though rare exceptions occurred, such as the 17th edition held in Chennai in 1971.
This year's ceremony in Ekta Nagar carries specific symbolic weight, as the venue houses the 597-foot Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Filmmaker Aanand L Rai's non-feature film 'Statue of Unity Ekta Ka Prateek' won the National Award for Best Direction, aligning the location's monumental theme with the evening's honours.
Industry Reactions and Political Divisions
The decision to move the ceremony out of Delhi has drawn mixed reactions from the creative community and regional leadership. Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia publicly questioned the selection of Gujarat, asking why alternative cinematic centers with deep historical roots in filmmaking, such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or Maharashtra, were not chosen for the prestigious event.
Muharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also voiced objections, questioning the rationale behind selecting Gujarat over other states. These reactions highlight underlying sensitivities regarding cultural centralization and regional equity in hosting high-profile state honours.
Major Winners of the 72nd National Film Awards
The upcoming ceremony will honour cinematic excellence certified across 2024, featuring a diverse slate of winners across regional languages. Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty were jointly named Best Actor for their performances in 'Chandu Champion' and 'Bramayugam', respectively, while Yami Gautam secured the Best Actress prize for 'Article 370'.
'Article 370' was named Best Feature Film, and Randeep Hooda received the Best Debut Director award for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. The awards also recognized regional milestones, including the first-ever honor for a Santhali film in the non-feature category, alongside winners in Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu, and Garhwali.
Implementation and Upcoming Ceremony Details
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to confer the awards during the official ceremony on September 22 at Ekta Nagar. Organizers are finalizing logistical arrangements to accommodate winners, dignitaries, and media delegations traveling to the venue from across the country.
Further announcements regarding the exact schedule and participating cultural troupes are expected from the Ministry in the days leading up to the event, marking the official commencement of the government's decentralized awards policy.
