The 71st National Film Awards have officially honored the best of Indian cinema, and the 2025 winners’ list is nothing short of spectacular. As MSN reports, from Shah Rukh Khan’s first-ever National Award to 12th Fail sweeping top honors, this year’s ceremony celebrated bold stories, emotional performances, and technical brilliance across languages.
Top Winners at a Glance
Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
A powerful underdog story about a student’s fight against odds in India’s cutthroat education system.
Why it won: Authentic storytelling, relatable struggles, and a moving lead performance by Vikrant Massey.
Another Best Actor (Tie): Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey
- Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan): In his action-packed role as a vigilante, SRK delivered intensity and heart—earning him his first National Award after 33 years.
- Vikrant Massey (12th Fail): A deeply emotional performance that connected with audiences across the country.
Best Actress (Tie): Rani Mukerji & Sanya Malhotra
- Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway): Her passionate portrayal of a mother fighting a custody battle captivated hearts nationwide.
- Sanya Malhotra (Kathal): Smart, sassy, and grounded—her performance as a small-town cop brought charm and wit to this satire.
Best Popular Film: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Karan Johar’s glamorous family drama was a blend of nostalgia, color, and emotion—offering wholesome entertainment at its finest.
🇮🇳 Best Hindi Feature Film: Kathal
A witty take on bureaucracy and social injustice, Kathal turned a missing jackfruit into a hilarious and sharp satire.
Other Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss
Best Film on National & Social Issues: Sam Bahadur
Vicky Kaushal shines as India’s celebrated Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in this moving and patriotic biopic.
Best Playback Singers
- Male: Arijit Singh – “Chaleya” (Jawan)
- Female: Shreya Ghoshal – “Bairi Piya” (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
Best Music & Lyrics
- Best Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire for Kathal
- Best Choreography: Vijay Ganguly for “Zinda Banda” (Jawan)
The Best Supporting Roles
- Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam, Malayalam) & M. S. Bhaskar (Parking, Tamil)
- Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku, Malayalam) & Janki Bodiwala (Vash, Gujarati)
Technical Brilliance: Behind the Scenes Winners
- Best Direction: Anand Ekarshi (Aattam)
- Best Screenplay (Adapted): Vidhu Vinod Chopra & Jaskunwar Kohli (12th Fail)
- Best Cinematography: Kiran Deohans (12th Fail)
- Best Sound Design: Kunal Sharma (12th Fail)
- Best Special Effects: Red Chillies VFX (Jawan)
- Best Costume Design: Sachin Lovalekar (Aattam)
Regional Films That Shone Bright
- Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
- Best Tamil Film: Parking
- Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
- Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope
- Best Gujarati Film: Vash
- Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
- Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
- Best Odia Film: Pushkara
- Best Assamese Film: Rangatapu 1982
Why These Awards Matter
- Real Stories, Real Emotions: 2025’s awards focused on meaningful cinema over mainstream glamour.
- Bold Choices Rewarded: Films like Kathal and 12th Fail prove that fresh, honest storytelling pays off.
- Wider Recognition: Long-overdue honors for veterans like Shah Rukh and Rani made this year extra special.
Final Thoughts
The 71st National Film Awards 2025 celebrated diversity, authenticity, and bold narratives. Whether you’re into emotion-packed dramas, hard-hitting social themes, or fun family entertainers—this year’s winners gave us plenty to love.
Did You Know? This is Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award in over 30 years of acting!
👉 Bookmark this list and indulge in the best of Indian cinema from 2023!
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[…] 12th Fail, Shah Rukh Khan & Rani Mukerjee Steal the Show at the National Film Awards 2025 […]
[…] 12th Fail, Shah Rukh Khan & Rani Mukerjee Steal the Show at the National Film Awards 2025 […]