The National Film Awards move out of Delhi this year to Ekta Nagar, the town built around the towering Statue of Unity in Gujarat. Formerly known as Kevadia, the town was renamed Ekta Nagar in 2021. On September 22, President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards, marking the first time in 72 years that the ceremony leaves Delhi. Ekta Nagar will serve as the official venue for the National Film Awards 2026.
The choice of Ekta Nagar also turns the National Film Awards into an opportunity to experience a part of Gujarat that has grown into a destination in its own right. In addition to the ceremony, the town offers a mix of landmark attractions, riverfront experiences and nature-led escapes that make it worth extending the trip.
A New National Stage
Ekta Nagar was chosen as the National Film Awards venue with purpose. The ceremony will now stand beside the 597 foot statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, linking Indian cinema to one of India’s biggest symbols of unity. This Gujarat edition of the National Film Awards brings a new backdrop to the red carpet, with mountains, a river and a monument in place of a banquet hall.
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The move to National Film Awards venue Ekta Nagar is not only about cinema. It also puts a global spotlight on the region. Ekta Nagar Gujarat tourism has grown steadily since the Statue of Unity opened in 2018, and this ceremony gives it an even bigger stage.
Where to Explore Nearby
There are plenty of things to do in Ekta Nagar. Start at the Statue of Unity, where the viewing gallery offers views of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Satpura and Vindhya ranges. More attractions in Ekta Nagar lie close by. Visit the Valley of Flowers for a quieter stop, try the Jungle Safari for wildlife or take the Ekta Cruise for river views of the dam and statue together.
In the evening, walk through the Unity Glow Garden or watch the Narmada Maha Aarti by the river. Families can visit the Children and Nutrition Park and the Dino Trail, while shoppers can browse Ekta Mall. For a quieter trip, visit Nilkanth Dham, a temple around 40 kilometres away.
The Statue of Unity area is fast becoming a genuine Ekta Nagar tourist destination, not just a quick stop for photographs. New resorts and nature trails are adding to its appeal, and this growth, paired with a national ceremony, strengthens the case for luxury travel in Gujarat. With the film industry arriving this September, Ekta Nagar moves from a side trip to a trendy destination.
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The arrival of the National Film Awards adds another layer of significance to Ekta Nagar’s growing profile. Instituted in 1954, the National Film Awards are among the country’s most prestigious honours for excellence in cinema. Over seven decades, the awards have recognised outstanding creative and technical achievements across Indian filmmaking, reflecting its rich linguistic, cultural and regional diversity.
