The 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi, honouring remarkable contributions to Indian cinema across various languages and formats. Held at the National Media Centre, the ceremony saw Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey share the Best Actor award for their performances in Jawan and 12th Fail, respectively, while Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.
The Hindi film Kathal bagged the Best Film award in its category, and 12th Fail was awarded Best Film overall. Sudipto Sen won Best Direction for The Kerala Story.
Complete List of Winners at 71st National Film Awards
Feature Films:
Best Hindi Film: Kathal
Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982
Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
Best Gujarati Film: Vash
Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu
Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
Best Odia Film: Pushkara
Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
Best Tamil Film: Parking
Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
Best Tai Phake Film: Pai TangStep of Hope
Best Garo Film: Rimdottianga
Best Film: 12th Fail
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Sam Bahadur
Best Children’s Film: Naal 2
Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet
Best Film in AVGC: Hanu-Man
Individual and Technical Awards (Feature Films)
Best Direction: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
Best Actor (Leading Role): Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Best Actress (Leading Role): Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash)
Best Child Artist: Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)
Best Cinematography: Prasanthanu Mohapatra (The Kerala Story)
Best Editing: Midhun Murali (Pookkaalam)
Best Production Design: Mohandas (2018)
Best Costume Design: Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi (Sam Bahadur)
Best Makeup: Shrikanth Desai (Sam Bahadur)
Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Ooru Palleturu – Balagam)
Best Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaliya – Jawan), Rohit (Premisthunna – Baby)
Best Dialogue: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandha Kaafi Hai)
Best Screenplay: Sai Rajesh (Baby), Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Dindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)
Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)
Non-Feature Films
Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man
Best Short Film: Giddh: The Scavenger
Best Children’s Film (Non-feature): Naal 2
Best Documentary Film: God Vulture and Human
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic
Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film: Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao
Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
Best Debut Film: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)
Best Cinematography: Meenakshi Soman, Saravanamaruthu (Little Wings)
Best Sound Design: Shubarun Sengupta (Dhundhgiri Ke Phool)
Best Editing: Niladri Roy (Moving Focus)
Best Music Direction: Pranil Desai (The First Film)
Best Voiceover: Hari Krishnan S (The Sacred Jack – Exploring The Tree of Wishes)
Best Script: Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know
Special Mentions: Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, The Sea and the Seven Villages
The final jury report was presented to Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Dr L Murugan prior to the announcement. The awards underscore the depth and diversity of storytelling that continues to thrive in Indian cinema.
