The National Film Awards 2025 stand as one of the highest honours in Indian cinema, celebrating artistic brilliance, technical expertise, and storytelling excellence across the country’s multilingual film ecosystem. Conducted annually by the Government of India, these awards acknowledge the best films, performances, and cinematic contributions released in the previous year, making them a benchmark of credibility and prestige.
What makes the National Film Awards truly unique is their transparent and unbiased selection process. Only films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 1 January and 31 December of the previous year are eligible. The winners are selected by an independent jury functioning under the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), ensuring a fair evaluation of creative merit. The awards are presented by the President of India, highlighting their national importance and respect.
71st National Film Awards 2025
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 honoured the finest achievements in Indian cinema, reflecting an extraordinary year that balanced mainstream entertainment with meaningful, content-driven films. This edition highlighted the diversity of Indian cinema, bringing regional stories, socially relevant themes, and groundbreaking performances into the spotlight.
One of the biggest highlights was Shah Rukh Khan winning his first-ever National Film Award for Jawan, sharing the honour with Vikrant Massey for his powerful role in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji also made headlines by winning Best Actress for her moving portrayal in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. Regional cinema shone brightly, earning recognition across languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati.
National Film Awards 2025 – Complete Winners List
Below is the detailed table of winners across major categories:
| Category | Winner(s) | Film(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey | Jawan, 12th Fail |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji | Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway |
| Best Supporting Actor | Vijayaraghavan, Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar | Pookkalam, Parking |
| Best Supporting Actress | Urvashi, Janaki Bodiwala | Ullozhukku, Vash |
| Best Feature Film | – | 12th Fail |
| Best Film (Hindi) | – | Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery |
| Best Film (Telugu) | – | Bhagavanth Kesari |
| Best Film (Tamil) | – | Parking |
| Best Film (Punjabi) | – | Godday Godday Chaa |
| Best Film (Odia) | – | Pushkara |
| Best Film (Marathi) | – | Shyamchi Aai |
| Best Film (Malayalam) | – | Ullozhukku |
| Best Film (Kannada) | – | Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope |
| Best Film (Gujarati) | – | Vash |
| Best Film (Bengali) | – | Deep Fridge |
| Best Film (Assamese) | – | Rongatapu 1982 |
| Best Direction | Sudipto Sen | The Kerala Story |
| Best Choreography | Vaibhavi Merchant | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani |
| Best Action Direction | Nandu & Prudhvi | Hanu-Man |
| Best Lyrics | Kasarla Shyam | Balagam |
| Best Music Direction | G.V. Prakash Kumar (Songs), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (BGM) | Vaathi, Animal |
| Best Male Playback Singer | P.V.N.S. Rohit | Baby |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao | Jawan |
| Best Cinematography | Prasanthanu Mohapatra | The Kerala Story |
| Best Editing | Midhun Murali | Pookkaalam |
| Best Sound Design | Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan | Animal |
| Best Production Design | Mohandas | 2018 – Everyone is a Hero |
| Best Make-up Artist | Shrikanth Desai | Sam Bahadur |
| Best Costume Designer | Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi | Sam Bahadur |
| Special Mention | M.R. Radhakrishnan (Re-recording Mixer) | Animal |
71st National Film Awards 2025 – Major Highlights
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 highlighted the triumph of powerful storytelling with 12th Fail winning Best Feature Film and Shah Rukh Khan securing his first-ever National Award for Jawan. The ceremony also celebrated the rise of regional cinema, honouring diverse films from Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and other industries, while mainstream entertainers like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and socially driven films like Sam Bahadur added depth to this remarkable year in Indian cinema.
1. 12th Fail Wins Best Feature Film
12th Fail emerged as one of the biggest winners of the year. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film resonated with audiences through its inspiring narrative based on real events. Its raw, emotional storytelling and Vikrant Massey’s remarkable performance helped the film earn the top honour.
The film’s success reaffirmed the growing demand for grounded, real-life stories that connect deeply with viewers across India.
2. Shah Rukh Khan Wins His First National Award
Shah Rukh Khan’s victory for Jawan marked a historic moment, as it was his first National Film Award in a decades-long career. His dual role and impactful performance in the blockbuster film earned widespread acclaim. Sharing the award with Vikrant Massey added emotional significance to the announcement.
3. Regional Cinema Shines Bright
This year’s awards once again highlighted the richness of regional filmmaking. Malayalam films like Ullozhukku, Tamil films like Parking, and Telugu films like Bhagavanth Kesari received top honours. This recognition showcases India’s cultural and linguistic diversity while strengthening regional industries.
71st National Film Awards 2025 – Ceremony Details
The award ceremony took place on 23 September 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours. The winners were originally announced on 1 August 2025 at a press conference held at the National Media Centre.
Key recognitions included:
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Mohanlal
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social & Environmental Values: Sam Bahadur
Last updated on November, 2025
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