The 71st National Film Awards, held on September 23, 2025, at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, was a grand celebration of Indian cinema. President Droupadi Murmu presented honours to some of the finest talents of 2023, making it a night to remember for cinephiles across the country.
The highlight of the evening was legendary Malayalam icon Mohanlal receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema’s highest honour. Receiving a standing ovation, Mohanlal described cinema as “the heartbeat of my soul,” leaving the audience deeply moved.
The jury named Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail Best Feature Film and honoured the satirical drama Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery with the Best Hindi Film Award. The acting honours created history as Shah Rukh Khan won his first-ever National Award for Jawan, sharing the Best Actor title with Vikrant Massey for his powerful performance in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji took home the Best Actress Award for her stellar role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, reaffirming her legacy as one of Bollywood’s finest performers.
Additionally, the awards also shone a spotlight on diverse cinematic voices, highlighting stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. Moreover, President Droupadi Murmu honoured Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar’s Flowering Man with the Best Non-Feature Film Award, and at the same time, God Vulture and Human received the Best Documentary Award.
In her address, President Murmu lauded filmmakers for bringing women-centric narratives to the forefront. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of equal representation of women in cinema, while also noting that many of the award-winning films explored themes of courage, resilience, and the fight against patriarchal norms.
Overall, the 71st National Film Awards were more than just an evening of recognition; in fact, they celebrated Indian cinema’s evolving spirit, highlighted its remarkable diversity, and ultimately showcased its power to tell stories that resonate across generations.