The 71st National Awards ceremony held on September 23, 2025 At Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Several actors including Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar and several other artists received the prestigious award for their tremendous work in films. Honourable President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards on Tuesday.

Malayalam actor Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding work in films in more than 400 films over three decades.

Shah Rukh Khan received National Award for Best Actor for his film Jawan. This is his first ever National Award in 33 years of his acting career.

Vikrant Massey was awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 71st National Film Awards for his performance in the 2023 film 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.

Rani Mukerji won the National Award for Best Actress for the film Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway. She looked elegant and stunning in a brown saree with her hair open and subtle makeup.

Filmmaker Karan Johar received the National Award for his film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani in the Best Popular Film for Wholesome Entertainment category. The award was presented to him by Honourable President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This marks his third National Award.

Full List of 71st National Film Awards Winners

Feature films:

Special mentions: MR Rajakrishnan (Animal - Re-Recording)

Best Tai Phake Film: Pai Tang…Step of Hope

Best Garo Film: Rimdottianga

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

Best Hindi Film: Kathal

Best Gujarati Film: Vash

Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge

Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982

Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)

Best Children’s Film: Naal 2

Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Sam Bahadur

Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet

Best Film: 12th Fail

Non-feature films:

Special mentions: Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, The Sea and the Seven Villages

Best Script: Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know

Best Voiceover: Hari Krishnan S (The Sacred Jack – Exploring The Tree of Wishes)

Best Music Direction: Pranil Desai (The First Film)

Best Editing: Niladri Roy (Moving Focus)

Best Sound Design: Shubarun Sengupta (Dhundhgiri Ke Phool)

Best Cinematography: Meenakshi Soman, Saravanamaruthu (Little Wings)

Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)

Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger

Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic

Best Documentary Film: God Vulture and Human

Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu

Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film: Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao

Best Debut Film: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw

Best Non-Fiction Film: Flowering Man