Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut have strongly opposed the relocation of the National Film Awards ceremony to Kevadia, alleging political motives ahead of Gujarat elections.

  • The National Film Awards ceremony has been moved from Delhi to Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat.
  • Uddhav Thackeray claims the Centre is attempting to create a divide between Gujarat and the rest of India.
  • Sanjay Raut has urged artists to boycott the event, calling the move a political stunt.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Central Government's decision to shift the National Film Awards ceremony from the national capital, Delhi, to Kevadia in Gujarat. Thackeray alleged that the government is attempting to "create a wall" between Gujarat and the rest of the country, questioning the logic behind bypassing other major cultural hubs like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

Adding fuel to the fire, party MP Sanjay Raut questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents only Gujarat. Raut characterized the move as a calculated political maneuver timed ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls. He went as far as calling the architects of this decision "dimagi Naxals," suggesting that the national prestige of the award is being compromised for regional optics.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the relocation of a longstanding national tradition to a specific political stronghold often signals a strategic attempt to consolidate regional identity with national pride. By hosting the 72nd National Film Awards at the site of the Statue of Unity, the government is effectively merging cinematic excellence with a specific political narrative of national integration.

The migration of national institutional events to regional hubs often reflects a shift from cosmopolitan governance to identity-based political branding.

Historically, the National Film Awards have been hosted at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan since 1954. While there have been rare exceptions—such as the 17th awards held in Chennai in 1971—the capital has remained the symbolic heart of the ceremony. The upcoming event on September 22 will see President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours in Ekta Nagar.

Sanjay Raut further called upon the artistic community to boycott the event, stating that any artist truly proud of the country should refuse the award if it is used as a tool for political campaigning in Gujarat.

Did You Know?: Kevadia, now renamed Ekta Nagar, is home to the 597-foot Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Where will the National Film Awards ceremony be held this year?
A: The ceremony will be held in Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat, instead of the traditional venue in Delhi.

Q2: Why is Shiv Sena (UBT) opposing this move?
A: They believe the shift is a political move to benefit the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections and marginalizes other states.