71st National Film Awards 2025: Winners List, Highlights & Biggest Moments
The 71st National Film Awards 2025, India’s most prestigious celebration of cinematic excellence, were held on September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to the finest talents of Indian cinema, making this edition truly historic.
This year saw Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji winning their first-ever National Awards, while Malayalam legend Mohanlal received the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
71st National Film Awards 2025 – Top Winners at a Glance
| Category | Winner(s) | Film(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime Achievement |
| Best Feature Film | Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films | 12th Fail (Hindi) |
| Best Director | Sudipto Sen | The Kerala Story |
| Best Actor | Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) | Jawan, 12th Fail |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji | Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway |
| Best Popular Film | Karan Johar (Dharma Productions) | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani |
| Best Hindi Film | Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery | |
| Best Telugu Film | Bhagavanth Kesari | |
| Best Tamil Film | Parking | |
| Best Malayalam Film | Ullozhukku | |
| Best Marathi Film | Shyamchi Aai | |
| Best Punjabi Film | Godday Godday Chaa | |
| Best Odia Film | Pushkara | |
| Best Choreography | Vaibhavi Merchant | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani |
| Best Action Direction | Kannan Nanduraj | Hanuman |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao | Jawan |
| Best Male Playback Singer | P. V. N. S. Rohit | Baby (Telugu) |
Major Moments & Firsts
- Shah Rukh Khan finally won his first National Award for Jawan, sharing the honor with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail.
- Rani Mukerji bagged her first National Award for Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award honored Mohanlal, celebrating his four-decade-long legacy across Indian cinema.
- 12th Fail emerged as the big winner, sweeping Best Feature Film and Best Actor.
Regional & Technical Highlights
- Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery – Best Hindi Film
- Bhagavanth Kesari – Best Telugu Film
- Parking – Best Tamil Film
- Ullozhukku – Best Malayalam Film
- Godday Godday Chaa – Best Punjabi Film
- Pushkara – Best Odia Film
Technical Excellence:
- Action in Hanuman by Kannan Nanduraj
- Choreography in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani by Vaibhavi Merchant
- Playback performances by Shilpa Rao (Jawan) and P. V. N. S. Rohit (Baby).
Why the 71st National Film Awards 2025 Matter
The National Film Awards stand apart from other ceremonies because they are jury-based and government-backed, celebrating films solely on merit, craft, and impact. Winning a National Award is considered one of the highest honors in Indian cinema, often redefining careers and cementing legacies.
Conclusion
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 showcased the diverse richness of Indian cinema—from Bollywood blockbusters like Jawan and Rocky Aur Rani to powerful regional gems like Bhagavanth Kesari, Parking, and Ullozhukku.
Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji earned long-awaited recognition, Mohanlal received honors for his legendary journey, and 12th Fail swept the top awards, making this year’s edition a landmark moment in Indian film history.
For the full winners list and ceremony highlights, tune in to Doordarshan National or visit the official PIB YouTube channel.
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