Cinematic glory: Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji shine at the 71st National Film Awards
New Delhi, August 1, 2025 – The 71st National Film Awards celebrated the creative genius of Indian cinema in a grand way, honouring outstanding performances and impressive storytelling in the films of 2023. Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the prestigious awards highlighted talents across genres and generations.
Best Actor Award
The Best Actor award was jointly presented to two outstanding performers – Shah Rukh Khan for his powerful double role in Jawaan and Vikrant Massey for his impressive performance in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her emotionally impactful role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.
Shah Rukh Khan’s recognition for Atlee-directed “Jawaan” honoured his portrayal of a vigilant jailor and his war-hero father – two characters who are connected by a shared mission to fight corruption and systemic injustice. The action-packed film won over audiences and became a major box office success upon its release in September 2023.
Vikrant Massey’s triumph was based on realism, with his acclaimed role in “12th Fail” bringing to life the journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who rose from extreme poverty to become a respected IPS officer. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the biographical drama garnered praise for its grounded story and Massey’s compelling performance, which portrayed both vulnerability and resilience.
Best Actor(Female) Award
Rani Mukerji’s powerful performance in “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway” won her the Best Actress award. She played Debika, a mother fighting a tough legal battle in a foreign country to regain custody of her children. Inspired by the true story of Sagarika Chakraborty, the film enthralled the audience with its portrayal of cultural conflict and maternal courage.
The jury, chaired by Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan, selected the winners after detailed deliberations. The official list of honourees was handed over to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on official platforms, inviting cinema lovers across the country to celebrate the best of Indian filmmaking.
With this year’s awards, the lasting impact of impactful storytelling, meaningful cinema and nuanced acting will continue to define the emerging landscape of Indian film.
71st National Film Awards – Film & Award Summary
| Award Category | Winning Film / Artist |
|---|---|
| Best Hindi Film | Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery |
| Best Malayalam Film | Ullozhokku |
| Best Tamil Film | Parking |
| Best Telugu Film | Bhagavanth Kesari |
| Best Kannada Film | Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope |
| Best Gujarati Film | Vash |
| Best Marathi Film | Shyamchi Aai |
| Best Odia Film | Pushkara |
| Best Punjabi Film | Godday Godday Chaa |
| Best Bengali Film | Deep Fridge |
| Best Assamese Film | Rangatapu 1982 |
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai (Parking) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Urvashi (Ullozhokku), Janaki (Vash) |
| Best Cinematography | The Kerala Story (Hindi) |
| Best Action Direction | Hanu-Man (Telugu) |
| Best Choreography | Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani |
| Best Sound Design | Animal |
| Best Editing | Pookalam (Malayalam) |
| Best Lyrics | Balagam |
| Best Music Direction | Vaathi (Tamil) – Songs |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao (Jawan) |
| Best Male Playback Singer | PVN Rohit(Baby) |
| Best Makeup & Costume Design | Sam Bahadur |
| Best Production Designer | 2018 – Everyone is a Hero (Malayalam) |
| Special Mention (Sound Mixing) | Animal – M. R. Radhakrishnan |
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