Paresh Rawal Defends Decision to Host 72nd National Film Awards in Gujarat Amid Political Debate

Veteran actor and former Member of Parliament Paresh Rawal has defended the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision to hold the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, instead of its traditional venue in New Delhi. The ceremony, scheduled for September 22 at Ekta Nagar near the Statue of Unity, marks only the second time in the awards' 72-year history that the event is being conducted outside the national capital, prompting sharp criticism from several opposition leaders and regional cinema representatives.

Speaking to media personnel, Rawal dismissed the political controversy surrounding the venue shift, stating that Gujarat is an integral part of India and that major national cultural events should be hosted across different states to foster national integration. The Ministry clarified that moving the prestigious ceremony to Ekta Nagar aligns with the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' initiative, aimed at celebrating Indian cinema’s linguistic and cultural diversity across various regions of the country rather than limiting flagship cultural events solely to New Delhi.