New Delhi, September 23, 2025 — The 71st National Film Awards ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in a grand celebration of Indian cinema, honouring films released in 2023. President Draupadi Murmu presented the awards, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films, regional cinema, and lifetime achievement.
Big Wins & Historic Firsts
- Best Feature Film went to 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, which also won multiple awards.
- Best Actor was shared by Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail). For SRK, this was his first ever National Award in a leading role after decades in the industry.
- Best Actress was awarded to Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, marking her first National Award too. Her portrayal of a determined mother in a legal battle struck a chord with both jury and audience.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honour for lifetime achievement in cinema, was conferred upon Mohanlal, the veteran actor of Malayalam cinema who received a standing ovation.
Regional Films & Other Notable Awards
- Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery won the Best Hindi Feature Film award.
- Sam Bahadur won for Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
- Sudipto Sen won Best Direction for The Kerala Story.
- In supporting roles, awards went to Urvashi (Ullozhukku) and Janki Bodiwala (Vash) for Best Supporting Actress, and Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam) and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking) for Best Supporting Actor.
Moments That Touched Hearts
- When Shah Rukh Khan accepted his award, the room was emotional. Many fans and colleagues saw this first win as long overdue.
- Rani Mukerji, in her acceptance speech, said the award felt like a tribute to all mothers: “their strength, courage, and unconditional love.”
- Mohanlal dedicated his Dadasaheb Phalke Award to the Malayalam film industry and framed it as a collective honour, not just for himself.
Prize Money & Milestones
- The Best Actor award (shared by SRK & Vikrant Massey) carried a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, which was divided equally.
- Rani Mukerji, Best Actress, received ₹2 lakh along with the medal and certificate.
What This Edition Signifies
- First National Awards for two of Bollywood’s most established actors — SRK and Rani Mukerji — adding new chapters to storied careers.
- Recognition for a wide spectrum of cinema — be it mainstream, regional, or smaller socially-relevant films.
- A reaffirmation that storytelling, performance, and message continue to matter in Indian cinema.
