Today 24 September 2025 The 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi delivered memorable moments for Indian cinema. Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji each claimed their first National Awards. Mohanlal received the lifetime honour, and films like 12th Fail and Jawan dominated the spotlight.
Major Winners: Acting, Films & Direction
Shah Rukh Khan, after decades in the industry, was awarded Best Actor for his role in Jawan. He shared this accolade with Vikrant Massey, who impressed critics and audiences alike in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for her performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
The film 12th Fail took home Best Feature Film. Sudipto Sen was recognized for Best Direction for The Kerala Story.
Other Notable Awards & Regional Highlights
Mohanlal was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Indian cinema.
In addition to the major acting honours, several films across regional languages won in their categories. For example, Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery won Best Hindi Film; Parking won Best Tamil Film; Bhagavanth Kesari won in Telugu; and Pushkara represented Odia cinema.
Details Worth Knowing
- Each Best Actor and Best Actress winner received a cash prize (₹2 lakh normally for acting categories), medal, and certificate. Shared Best Actor meant division of prize money.
- The awards considered films certified between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
- Ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and was presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
Why This Year’s Awards Matter
Shah Rukh Khan’s win for Jawan is especially significant: it’s his first National Film Award. That marks a milestone in his career, previously filled with popular awards but never a National Award in the Best Actor category.
Similarly, 12th Fail stands out as both a critical and audience favourite, not only securing Best Feature Film but also earning the Best Actor award via Vikrant Massey. It underscores an increasing trend: films based on real stories and socially relevant contexts are being rewarded, not just spectacle.
Full List of Key Winners
Here are some of the top awardees (non-exhaustive but covering major categories):
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Direction: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story
- Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mohanlal
FAQs
What is the 71st National Film Awards?
The 71st National Film Awards are India’s official awards honouring films certified in 2023, across feature, non-feature and regional categories. They highlight acting, direction, technical excellence and regional cinema.
Did Shah Rukh Khan ever win a National Award before this?
No. Shah Rukh Khan received his first National Film Award for Best Actor for Jawan at this 71st edition.
What is 12th Fail about, and why did it win?
12th Fail is a film based on real events about UPSC aspirants facing failure and social pressures. It won Best Feature Film and Best Actor (Vikrant Massey) for its storyline, performances and emotional depth.
Which regional films got awards this year?
Many. For example, Parking won Best Tamil Film, Bhagavanth Kesari won in Telugu, and Pushkara won for Odia cinema.
What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and who won it this year?
It’s India’s top honour for lifetime achievement in cinema. In the 71st National Film Awards, veteran actor Mohanlal was the recipient.
How is prize money distributed at the National Film Awards?
Winners in acting categories typically get ₹2 lakh plus medal and certificate. Because Best Actor was shared, Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey split the award and monetary prize.
When and where was the 71st National Film Awards ceremony held?
The ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 23 September 2025. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards.
Conclusion
The 71st National Film Awards recognized not just star power but also emotional storytelling and regional diversity. SRK’s first Best Actor win, Vikrant Massey’s powerful performance in 12th Fail, and Rani Mukerji’s return to form are moments people will remember. For lovers of Indian cinema this edition underlines that merit, message, and craft are being celebrated together.
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