Summary
The 71st National Film Awards ceremony took place on September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The event showcased landmark moments and celebrated outstanding achievements in cinema from films certified in 2023. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards, honoring both veterans and newcomers.
Key Winners & Historic Highlights
Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, recognizing his decades of contributions.
Best Feature Film went to 12th Fail, a powerful story that resonated strongly with critics and audiences alike.
The Best Actor award was shared by Shah Rukh Khan (for Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (for 12th Fail). This was a significant moment, particularly since it marked Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award.
Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, adding another prestigious honor to her esteemed acting career.
Other Notable Awards and Regional Cinema Recognition
The awards included a wide range of categories and languages:
Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story
Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
Best Popular Film Playback Singer (Female): Shilpa Rao for Jawan
Regional films also received recognition: Pushkara took home the award for Best Odia Film, Vash won for Gujarati cinema, Parking for Tamil, Deep Fridge for Bengali, and others in Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, and Assamese categories.
What Makes This Ceremony Special
First-Time Wins & Long-Awaited Honors: This was Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award after decades in film, shared with Vikrant Massey. It was an emotional win for both.
Diverse Indian Cinema Celebrated: The awards recognized a variety of works, from Bollywood blockbusters to smaller regional films, reinforcing the mission to look beyond mainstream cinema.
Prestige & Integrity: The National Film Awards are among the most respected honors in India. They are known for merit-based selection by a jury, with broad eligibility across certified films.
Why This Matters & What It Signals Forward
These wins will increase the visibility of films like 12th Fail and Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, as well as artists like Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji, especially on national and international stages.
Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award highlights a lifetime of work, inspiring actors in regional cinema to gain recognition for sustained excellence rather than just single performances.
For both audiences and the industry, the awards reinforce that great storytelling, regardless of language or budget, continues to be valued.
Inside the 71st National Film Awards:
| Category | Winner | Film/Details |
|---|---|---|
| 71st National Film Awards Best Feature Film | 12th Fail | Hindi Film |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Jawan |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Actor | Vikrant Massey | 12th Fail |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Actress | Rani Mukerji | Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Director | Sudipto Sen | The Kerala Story |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Hindi Film | Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery | – |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Tamil Film | Parking | – |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Odia Film | Pushkara | – |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Gujarati Film | Vash | – |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Bengali Film | Deep Fridge | – |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Male Playback Singer | P.V.N.S. Rohit | Baby |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao | Jawan |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Choreography | Vaibhavi Merchant | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Supporting Actor | Vijayaraghavan | Pookkalam |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Supporting Actor | Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar | Parking |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Supporting Actress | Urvashi | Ullozhukku |
| 71st National Film Awards Best Supporting Actress | Janaki Bodiwala | Vash |
| 71st National Film Awards Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime Achievement |
Inside the 71st National Film Awards: Final Thoughts
The 71st National Film Awards will be remembered for its emotional highs, historic firsts, and broad representation of talent in Indian cinema. With Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award and Mohanlal’s lifetime honor, the ceremony celebrated the joy of artistry, the importance of regional cinemas, and the lasting impact of well-told stories.
Note: All information and images used in this content are sourced from Google. They are used here for informational and illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Inside the 71st National Film Awards:
1. Who were the top winners at the 71st National Film Awards 2025?
The major winners included:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mohanlal
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
2. What made Shah Rukh Khan’s win significant?
Shah Rukh Khan received his first National Award for Jawan, which he shared with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail. It was a historic and emotional moment, highlighting decades of his contribution to Indian cinema.
3. Which regional films were recognized?
The awards celebrated regional cinema extensively:
- Best Odia Film: Pushkara
- Best Gujarati Film: Vash
- Best Tamil Film: Parking
- Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
- Other winners spanned Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, and Assamese films, reinforcing the awards’ commitment to diverse storytelling.
4. Who won Best Director and Best Hindi Film?
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story
- Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
5. Which performers won for music and playback singing?
- Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Jawan)
- Best Male Playback Singer: P.V.N.S. Rohit (Baby)
- Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)
6. What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and who won it this year?
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honor in Indian cinema, awarded for lifetime contribution. Mohanlal received it in 2025, celebrating his decades-long influence across multiple film industries in India.
7. Why is 12th Fail considered the standout film?
12th Fail won Best Feature Film and earned Vikrant Massey the Best Actor award. Its powerful narrative, emotional depth, and strong performances made it resonate with critics and audiences alike, marking it a standout of the year.
8. How do the National Film Awards maintain credibility?
The awards are known for their merit-based selection, with a jury appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals. Films certified by the CBFC within the eligibility period (January 1 to December 31 of the previous year) are considered, ensuring fairness and diversity in selection.
9. What makes this ceremony special in 2025?
- Historic firsts: Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award.
- Regional cinema recognition: Celebrating films across India.
- Prestige & integrity: Reinforcing merit-based honors beyond mainstream Bollywood.
10. What does this mean for the Indian film industry?
- Increased visibility for award-winning films and artists, nationally and internationally.
- Inspiration for regional filmmakers and actors to pursue excellence.
- Reinforcement that storytelling quality is celebrated regardless of language or budget.