National Film Awards to move from Delhi to Gujarat, sparking debate

The 72nd National Film Awards will be held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, at the Statue of Unity complex on September 22, marking a departure from the 70-year tradition of hosting the ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially announced the venue change, sparking significant political and cinematic debate.

Actor Paresh Rawal defended the decision, arguing that national events should rotate across different states to foster regional pride. He dismissed critics by stating that Gujarat is an integral part of the country and should be able to host such prestigious gatherings.

Conversely, political leaders in Maharashtra have expressed strong opposition. MNS chief Raj Thackeray questioned why Mumbai, the economic capital and historical hub of Indian cinema, was overlooked. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut criticized the move, with Raut calling on artists to boycott the ceremony, claiming the decision ignores the historical contributions of Mumbai and the South Indian film industries to national cinema.