President Droupadi Murmu will present the 72nd National Film Awards this evening at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, marking an important occasion for Indian cinema. The prestigious awards were established in 1954 and are regarded as the country’s highest honours for cinematic excellence. They recognise achievements across Feature Films, Non Feature Films and Writing on Cinema.

This year’s ceremony is being organised outside the national capital as part of an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Ekta Nagar is hosting the event for the first time, bringing together actors, filmmakers, directors and technicians from different parts of the country. The occasion reflects the idea of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

Veteran actor Anant Nag will also receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 from President Murmu. Several prominent names from the Indian film industry are expected to be present at the ceremony, which celebrates outstanding work released during 2024.

Article 370 has been selected as the Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam has received the Best Actress honour for her performance in the film. The Best Actor award has been jointly given to Mammootty for Bramayugam and Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion.

Rajkumar Periasamy has been recognised as the Best Director for Amaran, while Kalki 2898 AD has won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Randeep Hooda has received the Best Debut Director award for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

In the Non Feature category, the Marathi film Bhangaar has been named Best Non Feature Film. Aanand L Rai has been honoured for Best Direction for Statue of Unity, Ekta Ka Prateek. Ravi Raj Murmu has received the Best Debut Director award in the Non Feature category for the Santhali film Angen.

The ceremony at Ekta Nagar brings together major achievements from across Indian cinema and highlights the contribution of artists and technicians working in different languages and regions of the country.