For the first time since 1971, the National Film Awards left Delhi. The ceremony didn't just change cities; it changed states, landing in Kevadia—now officially renamed Ekta Nagar—in Gujarat on September 22. It was a logistical departure, sure, but the awards themselves felt like a bridge between the old guard and the new wave. The 2024 cycle, delayed by the pandemic, finally caught up with a slate that balanced legacy with box-office muscle.
The biggest honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, went to Anant Nag. At 90, Nag remains a towering figure in Hindi cinema, and this is the highest recognition the government can offer. Standing next to him in the acting categories were names that define the current multiplex era: Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan, and Yami Gautam. It’s a rare alignment where a legend from the silver screen’s infancy stands shoulder-to-shoulder with stars who just made the last two years’ biggest hits. The contrast isn’t just generational; it’s structural, reflecting how the industry has fragmented and reformed over the decades.
Article 370 took the crown for Best Feature Film, a nod to its serious political narrative in a year dominated by spectacle. Shashwat Sachdev also picked up the gong for the film’s background music, proving the score did the heavy lifting without relying on a massive pop hit. On the commercial front, the Telugu powerhouses pushed through. Pushpa: The Rule 2 and Kalki 2898 AD each secured two awards, solidifying the South-North crossover trend that has defined recent box office numbers. These aren’t just films; they are economic events, and the National Awards finally acknowledged their cultural footprint.
The venue change to Ekta Nagar wasn’t just a location swap. Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi had hosted the ceremony for nearly seven decades, making it the de facto home of Indian cinema’s official recognition. Moving to a smaller, more controlled environment in Gujarat might signal a desire for a more intimate, less bureaucratic affair. Whatever the reason, the ceremony itself was a statement. It’s no longer just about handing out trophies in a government building in New Delhi. It’s about where the industry chooses to stand, and this year, it stood in the desert.