Indian cinema is preparing for one of its major annual celebrations as the 72nd National Film Awards are set to be presented on September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat. The ceremony will bring together actors, filmmakers, technicians and other artists from across the country to recognise achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024.
Anant Nag to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
One of the key highlights of this year's ceremony is the presentation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 to veteran actor Anant Nag. The Government of India announced the honour on September 16, recognising his contribution to Indian cinema and a career spanning more than five decades.
Anant Nag has worked across several Indian-language film industries during his long career. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is presented for significant contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema, making his recognition an important part of this year's National Film Awards ceremony.
Awards for 2024 Films
The 72nd National Film Awards recognise films and cinematic work certified during the 2024 calendar year. The winners were announced on July 18, 2026, following the jury process. The awards cover feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema.
Among the previously announced acting honours, Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty share the Best Actor award, while Yami Gautam was recognised as Best Actress. Article 370 received the Best Feature Film award.
A National Celebration of Indian Cinema
Unlike awards that focus on a particular language or section of the industry, the National Film Awards bring together work from across India's diverse filmmaking landscape. The official programme covers achievements in different languages and regions, highlighting the country's broad cinematic culture.
The 2026 ceremony is also notable because it is being held outside Delhi. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced plans for future editions of the National Film Awards to be held across different states and cities, expanding the geographical reach of the event.
September 22 Event to Bring the Industry Together
With the presentation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, acting honours and recognition for creative and technical achievements, the September 22 ceremony is expected to be an important event on the Indian cinema calendar.
For movie enthusiasts, the National Film Awards offer an opportunity to look beyond box-office performance and celebrate the wider range of creative and technical work involved in filmmaking. This year's ceremony will place the spotlight on achievements from 2024 while also honouring a veteran artist whose career has spanned more than five decades.
As the ceremony approaches, the 72nd National Film Awards remain one of the major Indian cinema events of September 2026, with Anant Nag's Dadasaheb Phalke Award set to be one of its central highlights.
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