71st National Film Awards | Shah Rukh Khan wins maiden honour, ‘12th Fail’ adjudged Best Film

The 71st edition of the National Film Awards, India’s most prestigious cinematic honors, was held on August 1, 2025, celebrating the best of Indian cinema from 2023. This yearly event, organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and administered through the Directorate of Film Festivals, recognizes outstanding achievements across feature films, non-feature films, writing on cinema, and film critics. The ceremony spotlighted a diverse range of films from Bollywood to regional cinema, highlighting powerful stories and exemplary craftsmanship.

This year, the awards were notable not only for the diversity of winners but also for some historic milestones, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan winning his first National Award. Here is a detailed account of the major winners, their significance, and the impact they had on Indian cinema in 2023.

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Shah Rukh Khan’s Maiden National Award for *Jawan*

At the forefront of the 71st National Film Awards was Shah Rukh Khan receiving his maiden Best Actor award for his performance in *Jawan*. In this action blockbuster helmed by director Atlee, Shah Rukh portrayed a vigilante character who courageously battles corrupt institutions. The film, which also stars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, not only won critical acclaim but also scored massive commercial success, crossing the ₹1000-crore mark at the box office. The award marks a crowning achievement in the illustrious career of one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved actors.

Shah Rukh Khan expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the honor, calling the National Award “much more than just a recognition.” He thanked the Ministry, director Atlee, his team, family, and fans in an emotional social media message, emphasizing the award’s significance in his journey as an actor who has entertained generations but now also earns official artistic recognition [timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/shah-rukh-khan-wins-his-first-national-film-award-manager-pooja-dadlani-celebrates-with-heartfelt-message-a-deeply-deserving-honour-/articleshow/123054638.cms).

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Vikrant Massey Shares Best Actor Award for *12th Fail*

Sharing the Best Actor award with Shah Rukh Khan was Vikrant Massey for his compelling role in *12th Fail*, a biographical drama based on the real-life story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar. The film tracks Kumar’s struggles and ultimate success after failing his Class 12 exams multiple times but persevering to become an Indian Police Service officer — a tale of resilience and determination that resonated widely with audiences and critics alike.

*12th Fail* also bagged the award for Best Feature Film, cementing its place as one of the most impactful stories in Indian cinema for 2023. Vikrant Massey’s measured, nuanced performance brought depth and legitimacy to the character, making the film both emotionally gripping and inspirational. The film’s win was praised for its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by many aspirants in India’s highly competitive educational and bureaucratic system [thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/71st-national-film-awards-shah-rukh-khan-wins-maiden-honour-12th-fail-adjudged-best-film/article69883037.ece).

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Rani Mukerji Honored as Best Actress for *Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway*

Joining the winners’ circle was veteran actress Rani Mukerji, who won the Best Actress award for her role in *Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway*. In the film, Mukerji portrays a fiercely determined mother who fights a harrowing legal and emotional battle against the Norwegian welfare system after her children are unfairly taken away. The film highlights important social issues around child custody laws and cross-border welfare rights, drawing attention to unethical practices by welfare agencies.

Rani Mukerji’s powerful performance was lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity, showcasing a mother’s unconditional love and courage. The role added yet another distinguished chapter to her career and contributed to the ongoing discourse around global child welfare policies [hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/71st-national-filn-awards-full-list-of-winners-shah-rukh-khan-wins-first-ever-best-actor-rani-mukerji-is-best-actress-101754051978740.html).

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Sudipto Sen Wins Best Director for *The Kerala Story*

Sudipto Sen was honored with the coveted Best Director award for *The Kerala Story*, a film that explored a series of social and political issues in the southern state of Kerala. The movie’s sensitive storytelling, along with its compelling cinematic vision, stood out to the jury as an exceptional directorial achievement. Sudipto Sen’s direction elevated the narrative into a thought-provoking experience that urged viewers to grapple with the nuances of contemporary Indian society.

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Wholesome Entertainment and Social Impact

Karan Johar’s *Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani* clinched the Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award. The film, known for blending family drama with commercial appeal and a vibrant mix of humor and romance, was recognized as a perfect example of cinema that entertains while delivering positive messages.

Meanwhile, *Sam Bahadur*, the biographical war drama based on India’s first field marshal Sam Manekshaw, was awarded Best Film Promoting National and Social Values. Led by Vicky Kaushal’s commanding performance, the film honored the valor and legacy of an iconic Indian military leader. Besides this, *Sam Bahadur* also received awards for Best Make Up and Best Costume Designer, underscoring the film’s technical and artistic excellence. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the movie was celebrated for its patriotic spirit and rich attention to historical detail [timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/71st-national-film-awards-complete-winners-list-shah-rukh-khan-vikrant-massey-share-best-actor-katthal-wins-best-hindi-film-vash-is-best-gujarati-film/articleshow/123044344.cms).

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Technical Excellence: *Animal* Dominates Sound-Related Categories

One of the biggest blockbusters of 2023, *Animal*, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, earned critical recognition with three technical awards. Known for its intense and violent narrative, the film received a Special Mention for re-recording (Mr. Rajakrishnan), Best Background Score (Harshavardhan Rameshwar), and Best Sound Designing (Sachin Sudhakaran and Hariharan Muralidharan). These accolades highlighted the film’s mastery over creating immersive auditory experiences that enhanced its emotional and intense storytelling [thehindu.com](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/71st-national-film-awards-shah-rukh-khan-wins-maiden-honour-12th-fail-adjudged-best-film/article69883037.ece).

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Regional Cinema Shines: *Parking* and Other Laurels

The awards also paid homage to the richness of regional cinema. The Tamil film *Parking*, directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan and starring Harish Kalyan, won three awards including Best Tamil Film and Best Screenplay. The film’s nuanced writing and storytelling won critical acclaim for its depth and realism. Veteran actor M.S. Bhaskar was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in *Parking*, adding to the film’s stature.

Other regional cinema honors celebrated films like *Thiruchitrambalam* and the Gujarati drama *Kutch Express*, whose lead actresses Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh were joint winners of the Best Actress category alongside Bollywood’s Rani Mukerji, reflecting the pan-Indian nature of cinematic excellence.

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Jury and Selection Process

The 71st National Film Awards jury consisted of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry and cinema world, including Ashutosh Gowariker as chair for feature films, P. Sheshadri for non-feature films, and Gopalkrishna Pai for writing on cinema. The awards considered over 300 feature films, 115 non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critic entries, highlighting the diversity and depth of Indian film culture [variety.com](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/shah-rukh-khan-vikrant-massey-rani-mukerji-india-national-film-awards-1236476508/).

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Conclusion

The 71st National Film Awards offered not only a celebration of cinematic milestones but also a reflection of Indian society’s evolving narratives. With Shah Rukh Khan’s long-awaited first acting honor, the inspiring story of *12th Fail*, and the social relevance of films like *Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway* and *Sam Bahadur*, the awards underscored cinema’s power to entertain, move, and inspire.

They reinforced the importance of honoring diverse voices—from blockbuster Hindi films to powerful regional cinema—recognizing not just artistic talent but also technical expertise behind the scenes. As India’s film industry continues to innovate while staying rooted in stories that matter, the 71st National Film Awards served as a fitting tribute to the past year’s exceptional achievements and set a hopeful tone for the future of Indian cinema.

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This comprehensive recap of the 71st National Film Awards not only documents the winners but contextualizes their achievements within the rich tapestry of Indian cinema and society’s ongoing narratives.