Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ The 71st National Film Awards were held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting top honours to some of India’s most celebrated talents from the film industry. The annual ceremony, which recognises outstanding achievements in Indian cinema, saw a strong presence from Bollywood, as well as notable wins from across regional film industries. In a major highlight of the afternoon, veteran actor Shah Rukh Khan took home his first-ever National Film Award. Khan shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey. Khan was recognised for his powerful performance in Jawan, directed by Atlee, while Massey earned the honour for his critically acclaimed role in 12th Fail.
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The audience broke into loud applause as both actors walked up to receive their awards from the president. Khan, renowned as the “King of Bollywood,” appeared visibly moved by the moment. Meanwhile, 12th Fail, a drama inspired by the real-life trials of a civil service aspirant, won Best Feature Film, establishing its place as one of the year’s most striking films. Rani Mukerji, a first-time National Award recipient, received Best Actress for her heartbreaking performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. The film tells the harrowing story of a mother fighting a foreign government to reclaim custody of her children. Dressed in an elegant brown saree, Mukerji accepted the award with grace and gratitude.
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Celebrating filmmakers and producers
The actors were not the only ones in the spotlight. Filmmakers and producers also left their imprint. Karan Johar got the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, a love family drama that appealed to fans of all ages. Ekta Kapoor, along with producer Guneet Monga, bagged the award for Best Hindi Film for their co-production Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery. Director Yashowardhan Singh accepted the award on behalf of the team. In the biopic category, Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur, which starred Vicky Kaushal as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, picked up multiple honours, including Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
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Honoring regional films and new voices
The ceremony also celebrated achievements beyond mainstream Hindi cinema. Tamil debutant director Ramkumar Balakrishnan walked away with two awards for his film Parking—Best Tamil Film and Best Screenplay (Original). Veteran actor MS Bhaskar won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the same film, marking a major career milestone. Telugu cinema also had its moment, with the fantasy-action film Hanu-Man earning awards for its exceptional action choreography and visual effects.
Singer PVNS Rohit received the award for Best Male Playback Singer for his performance in the Telugu film Baby, while Sri Rajesh Neelam shared the Best Screenplay award for the same film. Malayalam cinema continued its strong legacy at the awards. The emotional drama Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, won Best Malayalam Film, marking his third National Award. Veteran actress Oorvasi shared the Best Supporting Actress honour with Gujarati star Janaki Bodiwala for their roles in Ullozhukku and a Gujarati film, respectively.
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Animal and The Kerala Story among technical winners
The high-octane action-drama Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, received multiple technical awards, including a special mention in the Re-Recording Mixer category. The recognition was dedicated to sound designer Rajakrishnan for his behind-the-scenes contribution to the film’s audio experience. Director Sudipto Sen was named Best Director for The Kerala Story, a film that sparked both box office success and public debate. His win was one of the most discussed of the evening, reflecting the National Awards’ willingness to honor diverse storytelling voices.
A legendary honour for actor Mohanlal
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when legendary actor Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema. At 64, he became the youngest recipient of the award, which recognizes lifetime achievement. Accepting the honor, Mohanlal said, “This moment does not belong to me alone. It belongs to the entire Malayalam film industry. I never imagined this day would come. I dedicate this award to the pioneers of our cinema and to our loyal audiences.” A tribute film played before his speech, highlighting Mohanlal’s rich career spanning over four decades.
Complete list of major winners at the 71st National Film Awards 2025:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mohanlal
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Hindi)
- Best Hindi Film: Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Best Male Playback Singer: PVNS Rohit (Baby, Telugu)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Jawan, Hindi)
- Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: Sam Bahadur
- Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)
- Best Screenplay (Original): Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking, Tamil)
- Best Supporting Actor: MS Bhaskar (Parking)
- Best Supporting Actress: Oorvasi (Ullozhukku) & Janaki Bodiwala (Gujarati film)
The National Film Awards are the highest distinction in Indian cinema, given by the Government of India after a rigorous judging process. The emphasis on merit rather than popularity, as well as the inclusive approach across languages, genres, and countries, distinguishes these prizes. All winning films must have been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) within the previous calendar year. As the 71st edition concluded, the event provided a strong reminder of Indian cinema’s depth, diversity, and worldwide relevance today.