National Film Awards 2025 Winners Full List: Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, 12th Fail & More

J Venkateswara Rao
Aug 2, 2025
2 min read

India’s 71st National Film Awards, recognizing films certified in 2023, were announced on August 1, 2025, in New Delhi. The event celebrated storytelling excellence across languages, spotlighting both stalwart performances and emerging talents in Indian cinema.

Top Honours

Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra).
Best Actor (Joint): Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) — marking SRK’s first-ever National Award after a three-decade career.
Best Actress: Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway — her first National Award too.

Supporting Acting Categories

Best Supporting Actor (Joint): Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam) and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking).
Best Supporting Actress (Joint): Urvashi (Ullozhukku) and Janaki Bodiwala (Vash).

Regional Cinema Triumphs

Language	Best Film
Hindi	Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
Tamil	Parking
Telugu	Bhagavanth Kesari
Malayalam	Ullozhukku
Marathi	Shyamchi Aai
Kannada	Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope
Odia	Pushkara
Punjabi	Godday Godday Chaa
Assamese	Rongatapu 1982
Tai Phake	Pai Tang: Step of Hope

Technical & Special Awards

Best Direction: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story).
Best Popular Film (Wholesome Entertainment): Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani.
Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi) and Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Balagam — Telugu)
Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Rocky Aur Rani...)
Best Editing: Pookkaalam by Midhun Murali
Best Sound Design: Animal team (Sachin Sudhakaran & Hariharan M.)
Best Cinematography: The Kerala Story’s Prasantanu Mohapatra
Best Dialogue Writer: Deepak Kingarani (Sirf Ek Banda Kafi Hai)
Best Screenplay: Parking (Tamil) & Balagam (Telugu) shared
Outstanding Debut Film of a Director: Aatmapamplet (Marathi)
Best Children’s Film: Naal 2 (Marathi)
Best Feature Film in AVGC: HanuMan (Telugu)
Best Documentary: God Vulture and Human
Best Non-Feature Film for Social Values: The Silent Epidemic
Best Short Film: Giddh the Scavenger.

Why These Awards Matter

These honors reflect India's cinematic diversity—its drive toward socially relevant storytelling, regional strength, and recognition of both veterans and newcomers.

SRK and Rani Mukerji's first National Awards were milestones in their illustrious careers.
12th Fail’s win signals growing appreciation for films rooted in social reality.
Regional films like Ullozhukku, Parking, and Bhagavanth Kesari further demonstrate the depth of Indian cinema across languages.

Final Take

The 71st National Film Awards once again proved why they remain India’s most prestigious cinematic honors. Celebrating excellence across creative, technical, and regional lines, this edition marked emotional firsts for iconic actors and gave deserving recognition to powerful storytelling from every corner of the country.