# Relocation of India's National Film Awards > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/relocation-of-indias-national-film-awards > Updated: 2026-09-12T02:04:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. The 72nd National Film Awards are scheduled to be held on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, near the Statue of Unity. This move marks the first time in the ceremony’s 72-year history that the event will be held outside of New Delhi, following a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting policy to rotate venues to promote regional diversity. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to present awards to 92 winners. Notable recipients include ‘Article 370’ for Best Feature Film, Yami Gautam for Best Actress, and Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan sharing the Best Actor award. The decision to relocate the ceremony has sparked political and cinematic debate. While actor Paresh Rawal defended the move as a way to foster regional pride, political leaders in Maharashtra have criticized the choice. MNS chief Raj Thackeray and leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), including Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut, questioned why Mumbai—the historical hub of Indian cinema—was not selected, with Raut calling on artists to boycott the event. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: National Film Awards to move from Delhi to Gujarat, sparking debate The 72nd National Film Awards will move from Delhi to Gujarat's Ekta Nagar, sparking debate between supporters of regional rotation and critics who argue Mumbai should have been chosen. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-film-awards-to-move-from-delhi-to-gujarat-sparking-debate ### 2026-09-07: National Film Awards to move from Delhi to Gujarat for 72nd edition The 72nd National Film Awards will move from Delhi to Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026, marking the first time the ceremony is held outside the capital. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-film-awards-to-move-to-gujarats-ekta-nagar --- Cite as: Relocation of India's National Film Awards. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/relocation-of-indias-national-film-awards