The winners of the 71st National Film Awards were officially announced on August 1, 2025, at a press conference held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. Celebrating excellence in Indian cinema, the prestigious event recognized achievements across multiple languages and categories, from acting and direction to music and production design. The final report was submitted earlier in the day to Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Dr. L Murugan.
In a major moment for Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the honour of Best Actor. Khan was recognized for his high-octane performance in Jawan, while Massey received acclaim for his portrayal in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for her emotionally charged role in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, marking a significant win for a film that tackled international child custody issues.
The award for Best Hindi Film went to Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, a satirical crime drama that impressed both audiences and critics. Meanwhile, films in regional languages were also honoured, including Bhagavanth Kesari (Telugu), Parking (Tamil), Godday Godday Chaa (Punjabi), and Ullozhokku (Malayalam), among others.
Other highlights included the Best Action Direction award for Hanu-Man (Telugu), Best Choreography for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, and Best Music Direction for the songs of Vaathi (Tamil). The Kerala Story won Best Cinematography, and Animal was awarded for both Sound Design and Special Mention in re-recording mixing.
Playback singing awards went to Jawan for Best Female Playback Singer and Baby for Best Male Playback Singer. In supporting roles, Urvashi (for Ullozhokku) and Janaki (for Vash) took home Best Supporting Actress, while Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam) and Muthupettai (Parking) shared Best Supporting Actor.
This year’s National Film Awards showcased the vibrant diversity and creative power of Indian cinema, reaffirming its status as a cultural cornerstone with both national and international influence.
