The curtains have come down on the 71st National Film Awards 2025 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu honoured some of Indian cinema’s finest talents in a grand ceremony that celebrated excellence across films, performances, and direction.
From Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Mohanlal to many other acclaimed artistes, the evening was a glittering tribute to cinematic brilliance. Here’s a look at the complete winners list and the biggest highlights from the event.
Feature films:
Special mentions: MR Rajakrishnan (Animal - Re-Recording)
Best Tai Phake Film: Pai Tang…Step of Hope
Best Garo Film: Rimdottianga
Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
Best Tamil Film: Parking
Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
Best Odia Film: Pushkara
Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu
Best Hindi Film: Kathal
Best Gujarati Film: Vash
Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982
Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)
Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Dindhora Baje Re - Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)
Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Ooru Palleturu - Balagam)
Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
Best Makeup: Shrikanth Desai (Sam Bahadur)
Best Costume Design: Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi (Sam Bahadur)
Best Production Design: Mohandas (2018)
Best Editing: Midhun Murali (Pookkaalam)
Cast and crew
Best Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan (Animal)
Best Screenplay: Sai Rajesh (Baby), Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
Best Dialogue: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandha Kaafi Hai)
Best Cinematography: Prasanthanu Mohapatra (The Kerala Story)
Best Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaliya - Jawan), Rohit (Premisthunna - Baby)
Best Child Artist: Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)
Best Actor in Supporting Role: Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash), Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
Best Actor in Leading Role: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway), Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Best Direction: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
Best Film in AVGC: HanuMan
Best Children’s Film: Naal 2
Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Sam Bahadur
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet
Best Film: 12th Fail
Non-feature films:
Special mentions: Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, The Sea and the Seven Villages
Best Script: Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know
Best Voiceover: Hari Krishnan S (The Sacred Jack – Exploring The Tree of Wishes)
Best Music Direction: Pranil Desai (The First Film)
Best Editing: Niladri Roy (Moving Focus)
Best Sound Design: Shubarun Sengupta (Dhundhgiri Ke Phool)
Best Cinematography: Meenakshi Soman, Saravanamaruthu (Little Wings)
Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)
Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic
Best Documentary Film: God Vulture and Human
Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film: Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao
Best Debut Film: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
Best Non-Fiction Film: Flowering Man
Actress Sreeleela shared a note of gratitude on Instagram after director Anil Ravipudi received the National Film Award for the 2023 film Bhagavanth Kesari in the Best Telugu Film category. In her Instagram Story, she wrote, "Absolutely grateful. Thank you so much. Closest to my heart, closer to you all." The movie features Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sreeleela and others in the lead roles.
One X user wrote, "Shah Rukh Khan long deserved a National Award for films like Swades, My Name is Khan, and Chak De India. The recognition was long overdue. Congratulations to SRK, with special credit to Atlee for showcasing him in a never-seen-before avatar."
One user shared a tweet about Malayalam superstar Mohanlal being honoured with the highest honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He wrote, "Lalettan is receiving the biggest and most prestigious honour — the #DadasahebPhalkeAward — for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam and Indian cinema. In his thanksgiving speech, he dedicated the award to the vibrant Malayalam film industry and the intelligent audience of Kerala. #Mohanlal."
One Twitter user wrote, "History created! @iamsrk receives the #BestActor Award for #Jawan at the 71st National Film Awards, from the Honourable President of India.The King proves once again why he is the heartbeat of Indian cinema."
Dharma Productions expressed their gratitude after winning the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography for 'Dhindhora Baje Re' at the 71st National Film Awards. Sharing a carousel post on Instagram, they wrote, "Love hai, toh sab hai. #RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani wins big with the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography for Dhindhora Baje Re at the 71st National Film Awards. Thank you for all the love you have showered and continue to send our way; we are truly honoured. Our deepest gratitude to @mib_india for this honour."
Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, Gauri Khan, took to her social media handle, Instagram, to congratulate him on winning his first-ever National Film Award. She shared a picture of SRK and wrote, "What a journey it’s been @iamsrk. Congratulations on winning the National Award!!! So deserving… It’s the result of your years of hard work and dedication. Now I’m designing a special mantle for this award."
At the end of the event, Droupadi Murmu addressed the audience, congratulating all the winners of the National Film Awards on September 23, 2025. She specially congratulated Mohanlal on receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 71st National Film Award 2023 on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Director Karan Johar receives the Golden Lotus award for the film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' in the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment category.
Shah Rukh Khan wins the Best Actor for his performance in Atlee's directorial 'Jawan'.
Shilpa Rao receives the Best Female Playback Singer award for the film 'Jawan'.
Prashantanu Mohapatra receives the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for the Hindi film 'The Kerala Story'.
Dialogue writer Deepak Kingrani receives the Best Screenplay award for the Hindi film 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Ha'. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead roles.
Screenplay writer Sai Rajesh Neelam receives the award for Best Screenplay in the Telugu film 'Baby'.
Sound designers Hariharan Muralidharan and Sachin Sudhakaran receive Best Sound Design award for the film 'Animal'.
Production designer Mohandas P gets the Best Production Design award for the Malayalam feature film '2018-Everyone is a Hero'.
Costume Designer Sachin Anant Lovalekar receives the National Film Award for the film 'Sam Bahadur' in the 'Best Costume Designer' category.
Harshvardhan Maheshwar receives the National Film Award for Music Direction in the film 'Animal'.
Director Krishnadev Yagnik won the National Film Award in the Best Gujarati Film category for the film 'Vash'.
Director Yashwardhan Mishra won the Best Hindi Film award for 'Kathal - A Jackfruit Mystery'.
Producer Amruta Arun Rao and Director Sujay Sunil Dahake receive the National Film Award in the Best Marathi Film category for the film 'Shyamchi Aai'.
Christo Tomy received his third National Award for Best Malayalam Film, Ullozhukku.
Producer KS Sinish and director-screenplay writer Ramkumar Balakrishnan received award for Best Tamil Film (Parking).
Director Dominic Megam Sangma receives the Silver Lotus award in the 'Best Garo Film' category for the film 'Rimdogittanga'.
Sound designer Shubharun Sengupta receives Best Sound Design award for the Hindi-language film 'Dhundhgiri Ke Phool'
Niladri Roy has been honoured with the 71st National Film Award 2023 for Best Editing in the film 'Moving Focus'.
Prakash Magdum receives National Award for Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film from President Droupadi Murmu.
Pranil Desai receives the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in the Hindi-language film 'The First Film'
Harikrishnan S wins Best Narration/Voice Over award for English language film 'The Sacred Jack - Exploring The Tree of Wishes.
Script writer Chidananda S Naik receives the Best Script award for Sunflowers were the first ones to know (Kannada)
Several regional films, including 'The Sea And Seven Villages', Malayalam film 'Nakal - Chronicle of the Paddy Man recive the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).
Utpal Datta has been awarded the National Film Award for Best Film Critic in the Assamese language category.
Vikrant Massey’s career-defining performance in 12th Fail has earned him joint honours with Shah Rukh Khan in the Best Actor category. The can was seen sitting next to Best Actor (Female) Rani Mukerji and SRK.
Superstar Mohanlal will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 at the 71st National Film Awards. He arrived at the event dressed in a traditional cream-coloured outfit.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan opted for a black suit as the actor is finally getting a National Award after working in films for three and a half decades.
The 71st National Film Awards ceremony has started in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu is set to honour the winners.
