President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours, as actors, filmmakers, technicians and other celebrated names from across the country come together for the landmark event.

The ceremony marks a significant shift for the National Film Awards, with the government taking the celebration beyond New Delhi and signalling plans to host future editions across different states and cities. The 72nd National Film Awards recognise achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2024.

Among the notable names set to be honoured is veteran actor Anant Nag, who will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema. With a career spanning more than five decades, Nag has made a lasting contribution to Kannada and Indian cinema through a diverse body of work.

The awards will also recognise some of the year's most acclaimed films and performances. Article 370 has been named Best Feature Film, while Bhangaar has been selected as Best Non-Feature Film and Ram-Nami as Best Documentary.

In the acting categories, Mammootty has been selected for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Bramayugam, alongside Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion. Yami Gautam will receive the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for Article 370. Randeep Hooda has been selected for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Several other films, including Kalki 2898 AD, Amaran, Pushpa: The Rule Part-02, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Stree 2, will also be recognised across various categories.

Ahead of the ceremony, several prominent personalities from the film industry have been arriving in Gujarat. Music director G. V. Prakash, choreographer Kala Master, Rajya Sabha MP and filmmaker-screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, actor Sreelekha Mukherji and filmmaker Jayarajan Nair were among those seen in Vadodara.

Speaking to the media, G. V. Prakash expressed his excitement about visiting the Statue of Unity for the first time. Vijayendra Prasad, known for his work as the screenwriter of RRR, also expressed his enthusiasm about seeing the iconic monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards have, for more than seven decades, recognised excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. The awards bring together India's linguistic, cultural and regional diversity on one national platform.

With the ceremony moving to Gujarat for the first time, the 72nd National Film Awards represent not just a celebration of cinematic achievement, but also a new chapter in the way India's most prestigious film honours are presented across the country.