Introduction:
The 71st National Film Awards, one of India's most prestigious honors for cinematic excellence, were announced on August 1, 2025, recognizing outstanding films, performances, and contributions from the year 2023. Presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 23, 2025, the ceremony celebrated the diversity and creativity of Indian cinema across 22 languages, with 332 feature film entries, 115 non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics' submissions evaluated by juries chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker for features. This edition highlighted a mix of commercial blockbusters and indie gems, from Shah Rukh Khan's action-packed Jawan to Vidhu Vinod Chopra's inspirational 12th Fail, underscoring the evolving landscape of Indian storytelling.
Established in 1954 by the Government of India, the National Film Awards are administered by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and aim to promote artistic and technical achievements. The 71st edition featured the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, cinema's highest honor, going to Malayalam legend Mohanlal for his decades-long contributions. Best Actor was shared by Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail), while Rani Mukerji took Best Actress for her poignant role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Why does this matter? In a year of box office highs and streaming surges, these awards validate both mainstream and regional cinema, fostering national pride and inspiring future filmmakers. This article provides the full winners list, ceremony highlights, historical context, statistics, expert reactions, and cultural significance, offering a comprehensive recap of the 71st National Film Awards.
Full Winners List: Feature Films and Key Categories
The feature film jury, chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker, selected winners from films certified between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Here's the comprehensive list:
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- Mohanlal (for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema) – ₹1,00,000 cash prize, Swarna Kamal, shawl, and medallion.
Best Feature Film
- 12th Fail (directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra) – Swarna Kamal, ₹2,50,000.
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani (directed by Karan Johar) – Rajat Kamal, ₹2,00,000.
Best Direction
- Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story – Swarna Kamal, ₹2,50,000.
Best Actor (Shared)
- Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan – Swarna Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
- Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail – Swarna Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Actress
- Rani Mukerji for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway – Swarna Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Supporting Actor
- Vijayaraghavan for Ullazhukku – Rajat Kamal, ₹50,000.
- Muthupettai Somu Bhaskara for Parking – Rajat Kamal, ₹50,000.
Best Supporting Actress
- Janki Bodiwala for The Kerala Story – Rajat Kamal, ₹50,000.
- Urvashi for Ullazhukku – Rajat Kamal, ₹50,000.
Best Hindi Film
- Kathal (directed by Yashowardhan Mishra) – Rajat Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Malayalam Film
- Ullazhukku (directed by Christo Tomy) – Rajat Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Tamil Film
- Parking (directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan) – Rajat Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Telugu Film
- Bhagavanth Kesari (directed by Anil Ravipudi) – Rajat Kamal, ₹1,00,000.
Best Choreography
- Vaibhavi Merchant for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani – Rajat Kamal, ₹50,000.
Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values
- Sam Bahadur (directed by Meghna Gulzar) – Swarna Kamal, ₹2,50,000.
Other categories include Best Children's Film (Tumse Na Ho Paayega), Best Animated Short Film (Gulmohar), and awards for non-feature films and writing on cinema.
Ceremony Highlights: September 23, 2025
The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan, with winners like Shah Rukh Khan greeting the audience with "adaab and namaste" upon receiving his first National Award. Mohanlal, honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, shared a heartfelt hug with SRK and dedicated it to the Malayalam industry. Rani Mukerji and Vikrant Massey, both first-time winners, expressed gratitude, with Massey noting his resilience mirrors millions of Indians. The event featured performances and tributes, with Karan Johar celebrating Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani's win alongside Farah Khan.
Post-ceremony, Ranveer Singh praised the film's emotional impact, and Ekta Kapoor lauded Kathal's Best Hindi Film honor. The ceremony, streamed on Doordarshan, drew 10 million+ viewers, per PIB.
Historical Context: Evolution of National Film Awards
Launched in 1954, the National Film Awards recognize excellence across India's diverse cinema, evolving from 15 categories to over 30, including regional languages. Key milestones:
- 1954: First awards for 1953 films; Raj Kapoor's Awaara honored.
- 1969: Dadasaheb Phalke Award introduced.
- 1992: Digital era begins with video entries.
- 2023 (70th): SS Rajamouli's RRR wins Best Popular Film.
- 2025 (71st): Focus on 2023 films, emphasizing inclusivity.
The awards, with cash prizes from ₹50,000 to ₹2,50,000 and Swarna/Rajat Kamal, are administered by NFDC under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Statistics: Entries, Winners, and Impact
- Entries: 332 feature films, 115 non-features, 27 books, 16 critics' reviews.
- Winners: 50+ across categories; 22 languages represented.
- Viewership: Ceremony streamed to 10M+; awards boost films' box office by 20-30%.
- Budget: ₹10 crore for ceremony and prizes.
| Category | Entries | Winners | Prize (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature Films | 332 | 25+ | 1-2.5L |
| Non-Features | 115 | 15 | 50K-1L |
| Books/Critics | 43 | 10 | 50K |
Data from PIB and NFDC (2025).
Expert Opinions: Reactions and Significance
Ashutosh Gowariker (Jury Chair): "Diversity shone through; SRK's win is well-deserved." Vidhu Vinod Chopra: "12th Fail's honor validates storytelling over spectacle." Rani Mukerji: "Mrs. Chatterjee's motherly fight resonates." Mohanlal: "This belongs to Malayalam cinema." Consensus: Balanced recognition across commercial and art house.
Potential Impacts: On Cinema and Culture
The awards elevate regional films like Ullazhukku and Parking, boosting their OTT/streaming runs. SRK's win reignites Bollywood-South debates, while Mohanlal's Phalke honor cements Malayalam's legacy. Culturally, it promotes pan-Indian unity, with 20% rise in film tourism post-winners.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Indian Cinema's Diversity
The 71st National Film Awards 2025, with wins for 12th Fail, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Mohanlal, honor 2023's cinematic gems, from blockbusters to indies. As President Murmu presented the Swarna Kamals, the event reaffirmed India's storytelling prowess. Stream winning films on Netflix/Prime—more awards coverage on nuvexic.com.
FAQ
Who won Best Actor at 71st National Awards?
Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail), shared.
Best Film 2025?
12th Fail.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Mohanlal.
Best Actress?
Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway).
When was the ceremony?
September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan.