Stories
Raj Thackeray's Fury: "Don't Fall for Them, Gujarati Brethren!" Slams Film Awards Move to Gujarat
- •Raj Thackeray expressed strong displeasure over the National Film Awards ceremony being moved from Delhi to Kevadia, Gujarat.
- •Thackeray criticized the central government, stating, "If you can't create anything yourself, change names, change places!"
- •Targeting PM Modi and Amit Shah, Raj Thackeray quipped, "The country beyond Gujarat is remembered only when elections come!"
- •The MNS chief urged his Gujarati brethren not to be swayed, warning that the 'tickles' of their linguistic leaders in power would turn into 'bear tickles' once power is gone.
- •Thackeray also admonished artists, urging them to raise their voices against the decision to shift the prestigious awards.
Key Questions Answered
Raj Thackeray criticized the decision to move the National Film Awards from Delhi to Kevadia, Gujarat, arguing that it diminishes the importance of the nation's capital and overlooks states with stronger cinematic connections like Maharashtra or the South Indian states. He suggested it's part of a pattern to centralize events in Gujarat, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
The 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in 2026 will be held in Kevadia, also known as Ekta Nagar, in Gujarat. This marks the first time in 72 years that the awards presentation will take place outside of Delhi, with the exception of the 17th awards in 1970 which were held in Chennai.
The National Film Awards have been held outside Delhi only once before in their 72-year history. The 17th National Film Awards, honoring films from 1969, were presented in Chennai on November 21, 1970.
