Grand Celebration of Cinema at Kevadia
The prestigious 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was hosted at a grand, state-of-the-art dome near the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. The event commenced with the soulful rendition of the national song 'Vande Mataram' followed by the national anthem, setting a deeply patriotic and celebratory tone for the evening. President Droupadi Murmu personally handed over the honors to the stellar actors, directors, and creators from various film industries across India.
This marks the first time that the National Film Awards ceremony has been taken to a major national tourist destination. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to seamlessly blend cinema and tourism, projecting India's rich cultural diversity onto a global canvas. Attendees were also treated to authentic Gujarati delicacies, making the cultural experience complete.
Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, and Yami Gautam Shine Bright
The awards brought major triumphs for several celebrated performers. Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan won the Best Actor National Award for his grueling and inspiring physical transformation in 'Chandu Champion'. This marks the first national honor of his career. He shares the Best Actor award with Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty, who earned the accolade for his stellar performance in 'Bramayugam'.
Meanwhile, actress Yami Gautam bagged the Best Actress award for her compelling performance in the political thriller 'Article 370'. Accompanied by her husband and producer Aditya Dhar, Yami expressed immense gratitude for the recognition. Additionally, veteran actor Sanjay Mishra won the Best Supporting Actor award for his gripping role in the direct-to-OTT release 'Bhakshak'.
Anant Nag Honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award
In recognition of his stellar six-decade career and monumental contribution to Indian cinema, veteran actor Anant Nag was bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. As his name was announced, the entire auditorium erupted into a thunderous, standing ovation to honor the legendary Kannada and pan-Indian star.
Born in September 1948, Anant Nag has acted in over 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, and Malayalam languages. Known for his versatility and depth, he has remained a cornerstone of quality cinema in India. Last year, the honor was awarded to South superstar Mohanlal, continuing the rich tradition of celebrating cinematic legends.
