The 71st National Film Awards were held on Tuesday, September 23, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu honored the best of Indian cinema released in 2023. This year, the awards celebrated films across languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, and Malayalam. Artists from various fields, from acting to direction, music, and technical achievements, were recognized.
Highlights Of The 71st National Film Awards 2025
The ceremony had some exciting winners this year. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey grabbed the spotlight for their stellar performances. Rani Mukerji impressed with her role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Meanwhile, the legendary Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his lifetime contribution to cinema.
71st National Film Awards 2025 Winners: Feature Films
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Hindi Film | Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery | Hindi |
| Best Feature Film | 12th Fail | Hindi |
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan | Jawan |
| Best Actor | Vikrant Massey | 12th Fail |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji | Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime Achievement |
| Best Film Critic | Utpal Dutta | Assam |
| Best Action Direction | Hanu-Man | Telugu |
| Best Lyrics | Balgam (The Group) | Telugu |
| Best Direction | Sudipto Sen | The Kerala Story |
| Best Popular Film | Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani | Hindi |
| Best Telugu Film | Bhagwanth Kesari | Telugu |
| Best Gujarati Film | Vaash | Gujarati |
| Best Tamil Film | Parking | Tamil |
| Best Kannada Film | The Ray of Hope | Kannada |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao | Chhaliya, Jawan |
| Best Male Playback Singer | Premisthunna | Baby, Telugu |
| Best Cinematography | The Kerala Story | Hindi |
| Best Choreography | Dhindora Baaje Re | Rocky and Rani’s Love Story |
| Best Makeup & Costume Designer | Sam Bahadur | Hindi |
| Special Mention | M R Radhakrishnan | Animal (Re-recording Mixer) |
| Best Sound Design | Animal | Hindi |
71st National Film Awards 2025: Non-Feature Films
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Music Direction | The First Film | Hindi |
| Best Film Critic | Utpal Dutta | Assam |
| Best Documentary | God, Vulture and Human | – |
| Best Documentary | The Sea and Seven Villages | Oriya |
| Best Script | Sunflower Ver The First One to Know | Kannada |
| Best Film | Nekal: Chronicle of the Paddy Man | Malayalam |
| Best Film | The Sea and Seven Villages | Oriya |
| Best Editing (Movie Focus) | – | English |
What Are The National Film Awards?
The National Film Awards are India’s most prestigious cinematic honors. Created in 1954, they recognize artistic and technical excellence across the country’s diverse film industry.
They are presented by the President of India at a grand ceremony in New Delhi. The awards are administered by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC).
The awards cover three main sections:
- Feature Films
- Non-Feature Films
- Best Writing on Cinema
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest cinematic honor. It is awarded for lifetime achievement to those who have significantly contributed to Indian cinema.
Selection is based on merit, judged by a national panel of prominent filmmakers appointed by the government. This ensures the awards remain credible, objective, and respected.
The 71st National Film Awards highlighted outstanding talent across Indian cinema. From Shah Rukh Khan to Vikrant Massey, Rani Mukerji, and Mohanlal, this year’s winners reflect both excellence and diversity.
These awards celebrate stories, performances, and technical brilliance that make Indian cinema proud. With each ceremony, the National Film Awards continue to honor the passion, dedication, and creativity of the country’s filmmakers.
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