Celebratory Evening at the 71st National Film Awards 2025: Victory for Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and '12th Fail' Movie
The year 2025 marks a significant milestone in Indian film history, as the 71st National Film Awards celebrate stories that matter. This year's awards ceremony, held in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, honoured films that capture the emotional and social landscape of our nation, showcasing a blend of legacy, realism, and new-age narratives.
In a remarkable turn of events, Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor award. Khan was recognised for his performance in Jawan, marking his first National Award after over three decades, while Massey won for his role in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji, on the other hand, clinched her first-ever win with the Best Actress award for her role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
12th Fail, a film that captures the emotional and social landscape of aspirants, walked away with the Best Feature Film award. The film also won the Best Screenplay (Original) award. Interestingly, 12th Fail and Jawan shared the Best Actor award, with Massey and Khan receiving equal recognition for their powerful performances.
The awards ceremony also honoured notable films such as The Kerala Story (Best Director for Sudipto Sen), Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment), and Parking (Best Supporting Actor for Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar).
The 71st National Film Awards emphasised India's linguistic and cultural diversity by honouring films from Malayalam, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese cinema. Chhoti Si Baat Hai won Best Children's Film, while Vash was named Best Gujarati Film. The Elephant Whisperers won Best Environmental Film, and Maharaja (Kannada) received the Best Cinematography award for its visual grandeur.
Arati Kadav won Best Debut Director for Mrs. & Mr. Kohli, and Pankaj Tripathi was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in OMG 2. Tillotama Shome won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Delhi Crime: Season 2.
Kathal was awarded Best Hindi Film at the 71st National Film Awards. Additionally, Animal was praised for its immersive audio experience, winning the Best Background Score award.
The impact of these awards on Indian cinema in 2025 is significant. They highlight both mainstream Bollywood stars and strong regional cinema contributions, signalling a diversity of voices and storytelling styles gaining national recognition. The success of socially relevant and inspiring films like 12th Fail reflects a growing appreciation for narratives that address real-life challenges and values, influencing filmmakers and audiences.
Moreover, the recognition of films across multiple languages and genres demonstrates a broader pan-Indian cinematic inclusivity. This trend could shape the trend of content-driven films and recognise powerful performances across Indian cinema in 2025.
In conclusion, the 71st National Film Awards have reinforced the stature of established actors while encouraging meaningful regional cinema. They have the potential to shape the trend of content-driven films and recognise powerful performances across Indian cinema, fostering a more inclusive and diverse film industry.
[1] The Indian Express
[2] Hindustan Times
[3] NDTV
[1] Movies and TV channels, as well as entertainment news outlets such as The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and NDTV, have been buzzing with discussions about the 71st National Film Awards.
[2] The awards ceremony provided a platform for celebrating not only popular celebrities and their performances but also showcasing the diverse and compelling narratives of pop-culture in various Indian films from different regions.
