The 71st National Awards were presented at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday, September 3, 2025.
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
The big winners of the night: Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Vikrant Massey.
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
President Droupadi Murmu presents Shah Rukh Khan with his first National Award for Best Actor for the film, Jawan.
After the announcement, SRK took to social media to share an emotional video of gratitude for his fans, team, family, and colleagues.
‘Thank you for honouring me with the National Award. Thanks to the jury, the I&B ministry. Iss samman ke liye Bharat Sarkar ka dhanyawaad. Overwhelmed with the love showered upon me. Half a hug to everyone todaym’ he said.
‘Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and humility. To be honoured with the National Award is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you so much to the jury, the chairman, and to the I&B Ministry, and to everyone who thought I was worthy of this honour.
‘I want to thank my team and management, which works tirelessly. They bear with me my eccentricities and my impatience and give me their full attention, making me look much better than I am. This award would not be possible at all without their love and perseverance.
‘My wife and kids, who over the last few years have given me so much more love and care as if I am the kid in the house, and want only the best for me. They know my obsession with cinema takes me away from them, but they all bear it with a smile and allow me the time.’
Watch: Shah Rukh Khan receives his award from President Murmu
Photograph: Kind courtesy Gauri Khan/ Instagram
Proud wife Gauri Khan posts a picture and writes, ‘What a journey it’s been @iamsrk. Congratulations on winning the National Award!!! So deserving… it’s a result of your years of hardwork and dedication. Now I’m designing a special mantle for this award.’
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Rani Mukerji received her first National Award for Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.
Watch Rani receive her award
Photograph: ANI Photo
Shah Rukh and Rani were seated next to each other.
Watch: Who did Shah Rukh send a flying kiss to?
Photograph: ANI Photo
Vikrant Massey shared his National Award for Best Actor with SRK, for his brilliant performance in the hit, 12th Fail.
‘I dedicate this award to all the marginalised people in our society — those who are often looked through, and those who are fighting the socio-economic paradigm of our country every single day,’ Vikrant shared through a press statement.
‘Today, if I may say so, a 20-year-old boy’s dream has come true. I am eternally grateful to the audiences for honouring my performances and for recommending this film with such love. It is a privilege to be sharing my first National Award with an icon like Shah Rukh Khan.’
Watch Vikrant Massey receive his award
Vidhu Vinod Chopra with his award for Best Film for 12th Fail.
Photograph: ANI Photo
Karan Johar‘s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Kahaani was named the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Karan has earlier won National Awards for his production, Shershah (2022) and his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (2000).
Photograph: ANI Photo
Vaibhavi Merchant received the National Award for Best Choreography for the song Dhindhora Baje Re in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Mohanlal received a standing ovation as he rose to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest film honour, from the President.
He thanked the Malayalam cinema fraternity and dedicated the award to them.
‘This moment is not my alone, this belongs to the whole Malayalam industry. I never dreamed of this day coming true and I accept this award on behalf of the forerunners of our industry and our fans,’ Mohanlal said.
‘Ente aatmavinte spandanam aanu cinema. Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul.’
Watch Mohanlal receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from President Murmu
Mohanlal, 65, is the youngest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the second artist from the Malayalam film industry, after Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to win it.
‘As a representative of the Malayalam film industry, I am deeply humbled to be the youngest recipient, and only the second ever from the state to be bestowed with this national recognition. This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the entire Malayalam cinema fraternity. I see this award as a collective tribute to our industry, legacy, creativity and resilience,’ he said.
‘When I first received the news from the Centre, I was overwhelmed, not merely by the honour, but by the privilege of being chosen to carry forward the voice of our cinematic tradition. I believe this is destiny’s gentle hand, allowing me to accept this award on behalf of all those who have shaped Malayalam cinema with their vision and artistry.
‘To be honest, I never dared to dream of this moment, not even in my wildest dreams. And so this is not a dream come true, this is something far greater. It’s magical, it’s sacred. It roots me more deeply in gratitude and responsibility.
‘I accept this award as the blessing of my forerunners, the legendary masters of Malayalam cinema, past and present.’
‘I dedicate it to them, to the vibrant Malayalam film industry, and to the discerning, intelligent audience of Kerala, who have nurtured our art with love and insight. Let this moment be a tribute to all those who bloomed with brilliance and faded with grease, leaving behind a fragrance that continues to inspire.’
He cited from Veenapoovu, a ground breaking poem in Malayalam literature by the legendary poet and philosopher Kumaran Asan written in 1907 and which explores the the philosophical concept of the life cycle through the metaphor of a flower: ‘As Kumaran Asan, the great poet, reformer and philosopher once wrote, this flower didn’t merely fall into the dust. It led a life of beauty. Let this moment be a tribute to all those who bloomed with brilliance and faded with grace, leaving behind a fragrance that continues to inspire.’
Mohanlal thanked President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the honour.
‘As an actor and film personality, this honour strengthens my resolve. It deepens my commitment to cinema. I pledge to continue my journey with renewed sincerity, passion and purpose. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India — honorable Rashtrapatiji, honorable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modiji, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the esteemed members of the jury who found me worthy of this accolade.”
Mohanlal has won the National Film Awards five times.
Watch Mohanlal’s speech
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Janki Bodiwala receives the Best Actress in Supporting Role National Award for the Gujarati film Vash.
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Treesha Vivek Thosar shares her National Award for Best Child Artist for the Marathi film Naal 2 with…
Shrinivas Pokale and…
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
Sukriti Veni Bandreddi for Gandhi Tatha Chettu.
Photograph: Press Information Bureau
FTII student Chidananda S Naik receives the Best Script National Award for the Kannada film Sunflowers Were The First Ones.
Photograph: ANI Photo
Vikrant Massey with Censor Board Chairman Prasoon Joshi.
Photograph: ANI Photo
A room full of winners.
Please click here for the complete list of winners.
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
