The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony unfolded on Tuesday, marking a historic shift as the prestigious honors were presented outside New Delhi for the very first time, according to regional reporting. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu presided over the event at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, honoring cinematic excellence from across the nation.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Major Acting Honors
Veteran actor Anant Nag was bestowed with the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the ceremony.
The acting categories saw prominent stars taking home top honors. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor recognition, while Yami Gautam Dhar won Best Actress for her performance in Article 370. Following her win, Yami Gautam Dhar expressed that the accolade stood as her biggest honor. Additional entertainment coverage noted that figures like Dhanush were also celebrated during the historic Gujarat event.
Regional Cinema Recognitions
Alongside the major feature film categories, regional cinema received significant national acclaim. Notably, the film Lahari secured the title of Best Odia Film at the 72nd edition of the awards.
A Historic Milestone in Gujarat
The decision to host the 72nd National Film Awards in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marks a notable departure from tradition, taking the ceremony out of New Delhi for the first time. Details on this aspect have not been reported yet regarding future venue rotations, but the Tuesday event drew widespread attention as President Murmu handed out accolades to the country's finest cinematic talents.