Vadodara, Sep 21 (PTI) The countdown to one of the biggest celebrations of cinematic excellence has begun, with stars and filmmakers from across the industry starting to converge in Gujarat for the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony scheduled for Tuesday at the iconic Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar.
With President Droupadi Murmu set to confer the honours, the red carpet is already buzzing. From award-winning performers and filmmakers to celebrated technicians and industry veterans, some of Indian cinema’s biggest names have arrived in Vadodara ahead of the grand ceremony.
Among those who arrived were renowned music director G. V. Prakash, choreographer Kala Master, Rajya Sabha MP and filmmaker-screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, actor Sreelekha Mukherji and filmmaker Jayarajan Nair.
Speaking to the media, G. V. Prakash said he was excited to visit the Statue of Unity for the first time.
Vijayendra Prasad, the screenwriter of RRR, also expressed his excitement about seeing the iconic monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“I am happy and excited to see Statue of Unity for the first time,” G V Prakash told the media outside Vadodara airport.
The National Film Awards are among the most prestigious honours for Indian cinema. Instituted in 1954, the awards recognise excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema, covering a wide range of languages, regions and forms of filmmaking.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 will be presented to veteran actor Anant Nag in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
With a career spanning over five decades, Anant Nag has made an enduring contribution to Kannada and Indian cinema through his diverse body of work.
The honour celebrates his remarkable artistic journey and lasting contribution to the rich legacy of Indian cinema.
‘Article 370’ has been adjudged the best feature film, while ‘Bhangaar’ has been selected as the best non-feature Film and ‘Ram-Nami’ as the best documentary, a Press Information Bureau release stated.
In the acting categories, Mammootty for ‘Bramayugam’ and Kartik Aaryan for ‘Chandu Champion’ have been selected for best actor in a leading role, while Yami Gautam will receive the best actress in a leading role award for Article 370, it said.
Randeep Hooda has been selected for the best debut director award for ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, as per the PIB release.
Several other films and artists will also be recognised across different categories, reflecting the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, it added.
Films including Kalki 2898 AD, Amaran, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2 will also receive honours in various categories, the release said.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to take the celebration of the National Film Awards to different parts of the country in the coming years, the release said.
“Future editions will travel beyond the national capital to different states and cities. The ceremony at Ekta Nagar will bring together cinematic talent from across India. It will embody the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’,” it added. PTI KVM PD NSK
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