The 71st National Film Awards recognized the best of Indian cinema for films certified in 2023. They were announced on 1 August 2025 and presented on 23 September 2025 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
What makes this edition stand out? Veteran stars won their first National Awards. Regional films and new voices shared the spotlight with mainstream names. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award went to a legend. Let’s break down the highlights, winners, and what this all means for Indian cinema.
Selection Process & Context
To be eligible, films (feature and non-feature), books, reviews, and critical studies must have been certified or published between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
- Feature & non-feature films had to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
- The jury also reviewed books, reviews, and critical writing published in that period.
- A separate jury of eminent personalities evaluated and recommended the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient.
In this edition, the jury received 332 entries in the feature film category, 115 in non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics’ submissions.
Key Winners & Highlights
These are the names and films that dominated discussions after the 71st National Film Awards:
| Category | Winner(s) | Film(s) / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime achievement award |
| Best Feature Film | 12th Fail | Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra |
| Best Director | Sudipto Sen | For The Kerala Story |
| Best Actor (Lead) | Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey | SRK for Jawan; Massey for 12th Fail |
| Best Actress (Lead) | Rani Mukerji | For Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Recognised as the best popular entertainer |
| Best Hindi Film | Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery | Winner among language-wise recognitions |
| Best Film in Telugu | Bhagavanth Kesari | Winner in the Telugu category |
Beyond these, films like Animal, Parking, and Sam Bahadur took multiple awards across technical, artistic, and regional categories.
What Makes This Edition Memorable
1. Big names getting their first National Awards
- Shah Rukh Khan, despite decades in film, won his first National Award for Jawan.
- Rani Mukerji also claimed her first for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
This shows that even established stars aren’t immune to fresh recognition.
2. Strong regional representation
The list of winners spans many Indian languages, hindi, telugu, malayalam, odia, gujarati, and more. That diversity is part of the National Awards’ strength.
3. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award goes to a living legend
Mohanlal being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke reflects his enduring legacy and impact over decades.
The Worth & Impact
What does the 71st National Film Awards signal for Indian cinema?
- It underscores that consistency, craft, and evolution still matter more than box office in award circuits.
- It encourages regional and non-mainstream filmmakers. The awards don’t just reward the big names. Diverse voices shine here.
- For mainstream stars, it signals that career longevity + strong performance = recognition, even if it comes later.
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