The 71st National Film Awards, announced on August 1, 2025, brought a wave of emotion, celebration, and overdue recognition across the Indian film industry. The ceremony, which honours the best of Indian cinema, stood out for its diverse selection of winners, ranging from regional gems to box-office blockbusters and deeply personal performances.
As the sector navigates new obstacles, such as shifting audience preferences and digital disruption, this year’s National Awards confirmed that Indian cinema is not only surviving but also growing, daring, and flourishing.
Historical win for Shah Rukh Khan
With more than 30 years in the industry, Shah Rukh Khan won his very first National Award for his commanding double role in Atlee’s ‘Jawan’. His performance as both a moral crusader and his army-man father was a crowd-pleaser and critical hit, underlining socio-political issues under the action-oriented image.
In a tearful Instagram video, SRK thanked the jury, his team, and fans for Jawan’s win, saying, “I’m genuinely humbled”. With a visibly obvious injury, he went on to say affectionately, “Sending you half a hug, the other half will come soon.” The fraternity welcomed him to the winner’s circle- Kajol, Farah Khan, A.R. Rahman, and Anil Kapoor all sent him their congratulations.
Rani Mukherji’s Fierce Comeback
Veteran actress Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, where she played a Bengali mother who fights a foreign government to gain custody of her children. Based on real-life events, her performance was raw, intense, and emotionally crushing.
“This is validation for my 30-year journey,” she said in a statement. Her cousin Kajol congratulated her alongside SRK, making it a proud moment for the Mukerji family.
Vikrant Massey: From Underdog to National Icon
The Best Actor award was won jointly by Vikrant Massey, who gave a soulful performance in 12th Fail, playing Manoj Kumar Sharma, a real UPSC aspirant with a humble background. The film, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, brought to the screen the grit, vulnerability, and unassuming heroism of students fighting all odds to reach their destination.
“Getting this honour alongside Shah Rukh sir is a dream,” Massey said. “I dedicate this to every student and underdog who felt unseen.”
12th Fail Wins Best Film
The most poignant of the wins at the 71st National Film Awards was, perhaps, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail, taking home the highest honours for Best Feature Film- a victory for filmmaking that celebrates perseverance over privilege.
Inspired by the tale of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a boy from a Chambal village who overcomes the daunting challenges to become a successful IPS officer, 12th Fail is a gritty and realistic portrayal of ambition overcoming adversity. Staying true to Anurag Pathak’s bestseller of the same name, the film avoids glorifying adversity, but instead presents it with a sense of weight and mounting sympathy, and offers a very human story of determination and hope.
Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, whose body of films includes Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots, called this project “the most important film” of his life. Chopra said, during his acceptance speech, “This film is not just Manoj’s story, it’s the story of every young Indian who’s been told that where they come from defines how far they can go. This award belongs to them.”
12th Fail did not bank on melodrama. Rather, it used close-up storytelling, mundane settings, and real performances to craft a movie that was intensely personal and very national. It struck a chord with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Popular Cinema Still Matters
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, a lively family drama directed by Karan Johar, won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award. This category frequently connects the gap between critical acclaim and widespread appeal. The victory confirmed that, when done well, high-budget Bollywood films continue to have a strong cultural impact.
The film was a contemporary retelling of the classic Bollywood family saga and marked Johar’s return to directing after seven years. Rocky Aur Rani followed the unusual romance between a loud, expressive Punjabi man (Ranveer Singh) and an intelligent, independent Bengali journalist (Alia Bhatt) with flamboyant sets, humorous dialogue, and a progressive social message. Generations of people were won over by their chemistry, comedic timing, and emotional depth.
Besides its Best Popular Film win, the film also took home the Best Choreography prize for Vaibhavi Merchant’s vivacious and stunningly filmed Garba song, “Dhindora Baje Re.” The song, which was widely praised for fusing traditional dance with modern storytelling, became a festival favourite.
Powerful Performances in Supporting Roles
Regional cinema stole the limelight at the 71st National Film Awards, as outstanding performances finally found the national recognition they deserved. In the Best Supporting Actor award, the honour was shared by M. Bhaskar for Parking (Tamil) and Vijayaraghavan for Pookalam (Malayalam). Bhaskar’s performance as a common middle-class man embroiled in an increasingly hot war for a parking space; his performance, replete with pride, frustration, and an urgent need to assert dignity in a world where the common is overlooked, was phenomenal. Vijayaraghavan, a seasoned Malayalam actor, brought quiet weight to his performance in Pookalam, playing a centenarian grappling with hidden secrets and family pressures. Both actors brought nuanced performances of men whose flaws and vulnerabilities made them human.
In Best Supporting Actress, the focus was on two equally riveting performances. Urvashi, known for her range in South Indian films, took home the award for Ullozhukku (Malayalam), where she tapped into the emotional pain of a woman grappling with generational conflict and unspoken sorrow in a Kerala family torn apart by flooding. Her acting was a masterclass in restraint and emotional subtlety. Janki Bodiwala, making her debut in the Gujarati film Vash, infused the national scene with new energy by acting as a young girl caught up in a supernatural thriller. Her acting was earthy and unputdownable, walking the line between innocence and fear in a performance that stayed with viewers.
Regional Cinema Triumphs
The accolades also showcased the depth of regional storytelling in India:
- The Best Hindi Film was Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery – a scathing satirical take on police bureaucracy, starring Sanya Malhotra as a young inspector looking for missing jackfruits in a politician’s garden.
- Best Tamil Film: Parking – an engrossing drama of urban frustration and class conflict, featuring Harish Kalyan and M. Bhaskar as bitter neighbours.
- Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai – a moving narrative of Sane Guruji’s life, documenting the relationship between a boy and his selfless mother.
- Best Gujarati Film: Vash – a horror thriller film featuring Hiten Kumar and Janki Bodiwala, where a family is haunted by supernatural forces.
- Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku – a sentimental family drama starring Urvashi, shot against the Kerala flood backdrop, where past secrets are exposed.
- Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge – a critically engaging film on isolation and emotional loneliness in the era of the internet.
- Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982 – a historical representation of ethnic strife in Assam, during a politically volatile time.
- Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari – an action mass blockbuster film featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna, with mass appeal and a social message.
Special Mentions and Technical Awards
Vicky Kaushal’s commanding performance as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in Sam Bahadur earned the Best Film on National Integration, as well as Make-up and Costume Design honours. Calling it “a proud day for all of us at RSVP Films,” Kaushal was thrilled.
Kerala Story also made waves, with Prasanthanu Mohapatra taking home Best Cinematography and Sudipto Sen taking home the Best Direction.
Animal took home a Special Mention for re-recording mixer M.R. Rajakrishnan, along with the Best Sound Design and Best Background Score by Harshavardhan Rameshwar. Hanu-Man, meanwhile, took home Best AVGC Film for redefining the Indian superhero narrative.
Conclusion
The 71st National Film Awards served as a window into the changing landscape of Indian cinema, not merely a list of winners. From the flamboyant celebration of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to the grassroots realism of 12th Fail, this year’s honours demonstrated a unique harmony between substance and spectacle.
A powerful message is conveyed by the popularity of movies in a variety of languages, genres, and platforms: compelling narratives, no matter how big or small, will always find a following. The awards honoured not only cinematic brilliance but also the fearlessness to convey meaningful tales in an increasingly changing cultural terrain, honouring performances that were steeped in emotional depth, inner insight, and mass appeal.
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