National Film Awards 2025 Winners List, 71st Edition Highlights

The 71st National Film Awards were officially announced on August 1, 2025, recognizing the finest contributions to Indian cinema for films released in the calendar year 2023. Organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, this prestigious annual event showcases excellence in feature films, non-feature films, and special contributions to cinema. The selection panel, consisting of filmmakers, scholars, and experts, evaluated entries from across India’s diverse cinematic landscape.

National Film Awards 2025 (71st Edition) Overview

The 71st National Film Awards 2025 celebrated excellence in Indian cinema across languages and genres. The overview table has been provided below.

Major Winners at the 71st National Film Awards 2025

The 71st National Film Awards 2025 celebrated outstanding talent in Indian cinema across various categories. Top honors went to 12th Fail, Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and Rani Mukerji for their powerful performances.

Best Feature Film: 12th Fail

The title of Best Feature Film was awarded to 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film tells the real-life story of a young UPSC Aspirant who overcomes poverty and hardship through hard work and determination.

This film stood out for its motivational message and emotional depth. The realistic storytelling and strong performances made it one of the most impactful films of the year. It became an inspiring watch for students and general audiences alike.

Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)

For the first time ever, Shah Rukh Khan won the Best Actor award for his role in Jawan, sharing the honor with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail. Shah Rukh impressed with his powerful and popular performance, while Vikrant was praised for his honest and emotional acting that felt very real.

Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)

Rani Mukerji won the Best Actress award for her powerful role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, where she played a mother battling a foreign court to get her children back. This emotional performance earned her the first National Award of her long film career.

Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)

Sudipto Sen won Best Director for The Kerala Story, a film that sparked widespread discussion for its hard-hitting content and powerful narrative style. The direction was praised for handling complex themes with sensitivity and conviction.

Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery

The award for Best Hindi Feature Film was given to Kathal, a unique film that blends humor and satire. The story revolves around a missing jackfruit and a female police officer’s search, which opens up issues of gender roles and corruption.

The film was appreciated for its originality, creative writing, and strong lead performance. It stood out among mainstream Hindi releases for its fresh approach and message.

Best Film on Social Issues: Sam Bahadur

Sam Bahadur received this award for highlighting the life and achievements of India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The film paid tribute to his role in Indian history and defense.

The film delivered a patriotic message while portraying the personal and professional sides of the iconic leader. It was praised for its research, direction, and impactful storytelling.

Also Check: Important Days in August 2025

Regional Language Film Awards

Many regional films were recognised this year, showing how strong and diverse storytelling is across different languages in India. Each winning film was chosen for its unique story, cultural richness, and overall quality. The Regional Language Film Awards list for various languages has been tabulated below.

Technical Excellence Awards

Cinematic success depends greatly on the technical crew behind the scenes. This year’s awards acknowledged exceptional work in cinematography, editing, sound, and design. The list of winners and categories based on various technical skills is listed below in the table.