On 1 August 2025, winners of the 71st National Film Awards were declared at the National Media Center, New Delhi. Shah Rukh Khan was awarded in the Best Actor category, along with Vikrant Massey, who won the accolade for Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji earned the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
This marked the first win for all three stars — Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Vikrant Massey.
Shah Rukh received the prestigious accolade after 33 years, which served as a historic moment for the actor and his well-wishers. Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who directed Swades (2004) starring Shah Rukh Khan, expressed his happiness over the actor winning the award after working in the industry for over three decades.
"It's amazing. It's quite historic that one of the biggest stars of India and Indian cinema, after such a long, prolific career, has got an award for Best Acting at the National Film Awards in a year when he had three films. Him getting the award for Jawan is great because he has played a double role in that,” said Gowariker, who also serves as the chairperson of the Feature Film Jury of the 71st National Awards.
The Jawan actor expressed his gratitude in a video post. He said, “Needless to say, overwhelmed with gratitude and humility. To be honoured with a National Award is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime.” He also thanked the jury members, chairman, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and everyone who thought he was worthy of the award.
While Shah Rukh won the award for Jawan, Vikrant Massey also won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the blockbuster film 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Rani Mukerji also shared her gratitude for the honour and credited her team for their hard work. She dedicated the award to all the mothers out there.
“There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own. A mother’s love for her child is unconditional... I realised this when I had my own. So, this win, this film, feels deeply emotional and personal,” said Rani.
Other winners include Vijayaraghavan and Muthupettai Somu Bhaska, who won the Best Supporting Actor award; Sudipto Sen for Best Direction for The Kerala Story; Janki Bodiwala and Urvashi, who were awarded Best Supporting Actress; Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, which was named Best Popular Film for Entertainment; Kathal, which won Best Hindi Film; Ullazhukku, which received the award for Best Malayalam Film; Parking, which was declared Best Tamil Film; and Bhagavanth Kesari, which won Best Telugu Film. [Rh/Eth/VS]
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