The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025, honoring the best of Indian cinema. The winners were revealed at a press briefing in New Delhi, with Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey sharing the Best Actor award, while Rani Mukerji won Best Actress.
Shah Rukh Khan received the award for his performance in Jawan, while Vikrant Massey was recognized for his role in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji won for her powerful portrayal in Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway. The Best Hindi Film award went to Kathal: A Jackfruit of Mystery, a social satire.
Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The National Film Awards celebrate the diversity and excellence of Indian cinema. This year’s winners reflect the incredible talent across languages and genres.”
Complete Winners List of the 71st National Film Awards
Feature Film Category
- Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit of Mystery
- Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
- Best Tamil Film: Parking
- Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
- Best Odia Film: Pushkara
- Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
- Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
- Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope
- Best Gujarati Film: Vash
- Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
- Best Assamese Film: Rangatapu 1982
Acting Awards
- 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 (Ullozhukku), Janaki (Vash)
Technical & Creative Awards
- Best Action Direction: Hanu-man (Telugu)
- Best Choreography: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani
- Best Lyrics: Balagam
- Best Music Direction (Songs): Vaathi (Tamil)
- Best Make-up & Costume Design: Sam Bahadur
- Best Production Design: 2018 – Everyone is a Hero (Malayalam)
- Best Editing: Pookalam (Malayalam)
- Best Sound Design: Animal
- Best Cinematography: The Kerala Story (Hindi)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Jawan
- Best Male Playback Singer: Baby
Special Mentions
- Special Jury Mention: Animal (Re-recording Mixer – M.R. Radhakrishnan)
Reactions from Winners & Fans
Shah Rukh Khan shared, “It’s an honor to receive this award alongside Vikrant, who delivered such a heartfelt performance in 12th Fail. Jawan was a special film, and I’m grateful to the jury.”
Vikrant Massey said, “This recognition means the world to me. 12th Fail was a story close to my heart, and I’m thankful to the audience and the jury.”
Rani Mukerji expressed, “Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway was a challenging role, and I’m humbled by this award. It’s a proud moment for our entire team.”
Fans celebrated the wins on social media, with many praising the jury’s choices.
“So happy for SRK and Vikrant! Both deserved this win!” – Twitter user @FilmBuff2025
“Rani Mukerji’s performance was outstanding. Well-deserved!” – Instagram user @CinemaLover
Significance of This Year’s Awards
The 71st National Film Awards highlighted a mix of commercial and critically acclaimed films. Shah Rukh Khan’s win for Jawan marked his first National Award since Devdas (2002). Vikrant Massey’s recognition for 12th Fail cemented his position as one of Bollywood’s finest actors.
Kathal, a satire on bureaucracy, winning Best Hindi Film was a surprise for many, proving that content-driven cinema continues to thrive. The awards also celebrated regional cinema, with strong performances from Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films.
