Context:
The 71st National Film Awards was held with much fanfare on August 1, 2025. The awards, presented annually by the Government of India, celebrate excellence in filmmaking across various genres and languages. With a legacy of merit-based selections and unbiased judging, the National Film Awards are recognized as the pinnacle of cinematic achievement in India.
Key Winners of the 71st National Film Awards 2025
Film Awards Winners Chart
|
Category |
Winner(s) |
Film |
|
Best Actor |
Shah Rukh Khan |
Jawan |
|
Vikrant Massey |
12th Fail |
|
|
Best Actress |
Rani Mukerji |
Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway |
|
Best Feature Film |
— |
12th Fail |
|
Best Direction |
Sudipto Sen |
The Kerala Story |
|
Best Music Direction |
G.V. Prakash Kumar (Songs), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (BGM) |
Vaathi, Animal |
|
Best Lyrics |
Kasarla Shyam |
Balagam |
|
Male Playback Singer |
P.V.N.S. Rohit |
Baby |
|
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 |
|
Special Mention |
M.R. Radhakrishnan – Re-recording Mixer |
Animal |
Best Film in Regional Languages
|
Language |
Film Title |
|
Hindi |
Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery |
|
Telugu |
Bhagavanth Kesari |
|
Tamil |
Parking |
|
Punjabi |
Godday Godday Chaa |
|
Odia |
Pushkara |
|
Marathi |
Shyamchi Aai |
|
Malayalam |
Ullozhukku |
|
Kannada |
Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope |
|
Gujarati |
Vash |
|
Bengali |
Deep Fridge |
|
Assamese |
Rongatapu 1982 |
The Highlights of the 71st National Film Awards
The 71st National Film Awards were a celebration of the diverse range of talent that exists within the Indian film industry. While Jawan and 12th Fail garnered significant attention, other films like Parking, Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, and The Kerala Story also showcased exemplary filmmaking across regional languages.
Shah Rukh Khan's win, marking his first National Film Award, was a monumental moment in the actor’s career. Equally significant was Rani Mukerji’s emotional triumph in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, a performance that cemented her status as one of India’s finest actors.
The National Film Awards also provided a platform for regional films to shine, with various languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Punjabi claiming top honours. This reflects the awards’ dedication to showcasing the richness and diversity of India’s cinematic traditions.
