Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, extended a formal invitation to Indian and international filmmakers to choose Gujarat as their primary production destination, speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. The pitch went well beyond offering scenic backdrops — Patel outlined an ambition to build a full creative economy spanning production, post-production, animation, VFX and gaming.

The Case for Gujarat: Landscapes, Heritage and Policy

Patel drew attention to the state's remarkable geographic and cultural range, citing the White Rann of Kutch, sacred rivers including the Narmada, Tapi and Sabarmati, hill destinations such as Girnar and Saputara, and the Gir Forest — home to the Asiatic lion. He also highlighted Dholavira and Lothal, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Gujarat's expansive 2,300-km coastline, along with its traditions, Garba, folk fairs and festivals.

Several notable productions have already filmed in the state, including 'RRR', 'Satyaprem Ki Katha', 'Kai Po Che!', 'Force 3' and 'Lalo', which Patel cited as proof of Gujarat's existing appeal on the film map.

Cinematic Tourism Policy and Financial Incentives

The Chief Minister pointed to Gujarat's Cinematic Tourism Policy (2022–27) as the structural backbone of this push. The policy offers financial incentives for eligible feature films, documentaries, web series, television series, mega film events and film infrastructure projects — including film cities, studios and post-production facilities. Patel stressed a 'producer-friendly approach' encompassing streamlined permissions and production infrastructure as part of the state's broader ease-of-doing-business framework.

'Our effort is to create a complete ecosystem in Gujarat covering production, post-production, animation, VFX and gaming, beyond merely serving as shooting locations for films,' he said. He added that the goal was infrastructure that would allow young people to work on world-class content without leaving their cities and villages.

A Historic Ceremony: National Film Awards Leave Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar on Tuesday, in what is reportedly the first time the ceremony has moved outside New Delhi in several decades. Patel described the occasion as 'the beginning of a new creative journey' and congratulated award winners including Mammootty, Kartik Aaryan and Yami Gautam. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for facilitating the shift of the ceremony to Gujarat.

Linking Creative Economy to Gujarat's Broader Growth

Patel situated the film ecosystem push within Gujarat's wider economic trajectory, connecting it to the state's growth in industry, technology, infrastructure, green energy, semiconductors and tourism. The framing reflects a deliberate attempt to position the creative sector not as a peripheral attraction but as an integrated pillar of economic development — a narrative increasingly common among states competing for investment and talent.

With the Cinematic Tourism Policy running through 2027 and a high-visibility national platform now deployed, Gujarat's film ambitions will next be tested by the pace at which production infrastructure actually materialises.