The 71st National Film Awards celebrated the best of Indian cinema at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours. While Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Vikrant Massey bagged top acting awards, legendary Malayalam actor Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan picked up his first National Award for Jawan, while Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor title for his compelling role in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji won the Best Actress award for her powerful performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
Major National Award Winners 2025 (71st Edition)
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Actor (Male): Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress (Female): Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
- Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam) & M. S. Bhaskar (Parking)
- Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku) & Janki Bodiwala (Vash)
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Best Film on National Integration / Social Values: Sam Bahadur
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (Lifetime Achievement): Mohanlal
Major Highlight:
Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award was the emotional highlight of the evening, celebrating his unparalleled journey in cinema.
One of India’s most versatile and celebrated actors, Mohanlal Viswanathan has worked across genres for over four decades, primarily in Malayalam cinema but also in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. With more than 350 films to his credit, he has won five National Film Awards, numerous Kerala State Awards, and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by the Government of India.
From iconic roles in Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, to mass entertainers like Spadikam and Pulimurugan, Mohanlal has seamlessly balanced art-house and commercial cinema. His effortless natural acting style, expressive eyes, and unmatched versatility have made him a cultural icon of Indian cinema, earning him the title of “The Complete Actor.”
Other Key Highlights:
- Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan gave him his long-awaited first National Award.
- Vikrant Massey’s 12th Fail emerged as the biggest winner, bagging both Best Film and Best Actor.
- Rani Mukerji shone with her Best Actress win for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
- Sudipto Sen earned Best Director for The Kerala Story.
- Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award was the emotional highlight, honouring his four-decade cinematic journey.
- Regional cinema celebrated:
- Ullozhukku (Malayalam) – Best Actress (Urvashi), Best Regional Film (Malayalam)
- Parking (Tamil) – Best Supporting Actor (M. S. Bhaskar), Best Regional Film (Tamil)
- Vash (Gujarati) – Best Supporting Actress (Janki Bodiwala), Best Regional Film (Gujarati)
- Bhagavanth Kesari (Telugu) – Best Regional Film (Telugu)
- Godday Godday Chaa (Punjabi) – Best Regional Film (Punjabi)
- Shyamchi Aai (Marathi) – Best Regional Film (Marathi)
- Pushkara (Odia) – Best Regional Film (Odia)
- Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope (Kannada) – Best Regional Film (Kannada)
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