71st National Film Awards Announced: SRK & Vikrant Massey Share Best Actor, Rani Mukerji Wins Best Actress

The 71st National Film Awards were declared on August 1, 2025, in New Delhi, honouring films certified between January 1 and December 31, 2023.

Advertisements

Shah Rukh Khan, after 33 years in Bollywood, received his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, delivering a powerful dual-role portrayal directed by Atlee. He shared the honour with Vikrant Massey, who won for his emotionally resonant lead role in 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Veteran actor Rani Mukerji bagged the Best Actress Award for her deeply affecting portrayal in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, a biographical drama about cultural and legal struggles faced by an Indian mother abroad. This marked her first National Award in her decades-long career.

The Best Feature Film award went to 12th Fail, a socially relevant narrative that resonated across regions and critics alike. Meanwhile, Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery received Best Hindi Film, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was awarded Best Popular Film (Entertainment).

Regional cinema shone across categories:

• Ullozhukku (Malayalam) won Best Malayalam Film, and its lead actress Urvashi shared Best Supporting Actress with Janki Bodiwala (for Vash, Gujarati)
• Parking (Tamil) won Best Tamil Film and Best Supporting Actor for Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar, also claiming Best Screenplay.
• Bhagavanth Kesari took the Best Telugu Film honour.

Other notable winners included Best Director to Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story), Best Supporting Actor to Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), and Best Music Direction to GV Prakash for Vaathi, among others.

Critics and stars alike celebrated the top wins. Notably, Shakeel Khan, Kajol, and Allu Arjun publicly congratulated Shah Rukh, Vikrant Massey, and Rani Mukerji for their achievements—adding emotional resonance to a milestone ceremony.

This iteration of the National Awards not only honoured Bollywood titans but also championed regional storytelling, socially relevant cinema, and breakthrough performances—reflecting a broad and inclusive cinematic vision in India.

🎬 Quick Highlights

• Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
• Best Hindi Film: Kathal
• Best Popular Film (Entertainment): Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
• Notable Regional Winners: Ullozhukku, Parking, Bhagavanth Kesari, Vash, Kandeelu, etc.