71st National Film Awards 2025: Full Winners List and Highlights
The prestigious 71st National Film Awards were officially announced on August 1, 2025, celebrating the finest achievements in Indian cinema certified throughout 2023. The awards reflected a rich diversity of storytelling, stellar performances, and technical mastery from across the nation’s film industries.
Top Honours
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
Key Acting & Popular Film Awards
- Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
- Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janaki (Vash)
- Best Child Artist: Sukruthi Veni Bandreddy (Gandhi Tata Chettu), Kabir Khandane (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)
- Best Popular Film: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Major Technical & Creative Categories
- Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet
- Best Music Direction (Songs): G.V. Prakash Kumar (Vaathi – Tamil)
- Best Music Direction (Background): Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
- Best Male Playback Singer: Rohit (Premisthunna – Baby)
- Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaliya – Jawan)
- Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Dhindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani…)
- Best Action Direction: Hanu-Man (Telugu)
- Best Cinematography: Prasantanu 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)
- Best Dialogues: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandha Kaafi Hai)
- Best Screenplay: Sai Rajesh (Baby), Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
Best Regional Films (Feature)
- Telugu: Bhagavanth Kesari
- Tamil: Parking
- Malayalam: Ullozhokku
- Kannada: Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope
- Hindi: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
- Bengali: Deep Fridge
- Gujarati: Vash
- Punjabi: Godday Godday Chaa
- Odia: Pushkara
- Marathi: Shyamchi Aai
- Assamese: Rongatapu 1982
- Tai Phake: Pai Tang… Step of Hope
- Garo: Rimdottianga
Best in Non-Feature Film (Shorts & Documentaries)
- Best Non-Feature Film: God Vulture and Human
- Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger
- Best Children’s Film: Naal 2
- Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
- Best Script (Non-Feature): Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know
Observations & Significance
This year marked first-time National Award victories for both Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, while 12th Fail emerged as a critical favorite, collecting top honors for Best Film and Best Actor. Several regional and debut filmmakers were also in the spotlight, highlighting the breadth of contemporary Indian cinema.
Technical categories saw films such as Hanu-Man, Animal, and 2018 lauded for their innovation and artistry. Child talent, including Sukruthi Veni Bandreddy for Gandhi Tata Chettu, was celebrated for elevating stories with authenticity and heart.
The 71st National Film Awards affirmed a renewed commitment to artistic excellence, inclusion, and creative exploration across Indian film, setting the bar high for the future.
