71st National Film Awards: Shah Rukh Khan Wins First National Award

New Delhi, August 2 — The 71st National Film Awards were announced on Friday at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, honouring excellence in Indian cinema for the year 2023. From Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji to acclaimed regional films such as Parking and HanuMan, the winners reflected the diversity of talent across the country.

One of the biggest highlights this year was Shah Rukh Khan winning his first-ever National Award. The superstar bagged the Best Actor award for his role in the blockbuster Jawan, sharing the honour with Vikrant Massey for his inspiring performance in 12th Fail. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, 12th Fail also clinched the award for Best Film.

Rani Mukerji was named Best Actress for her emotional performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Sudipto Sen won Best Director for The Kerala Story.

Regional cinema shone brightly, with Parking winning Best Tamil Film, Bhagavanth Kesari taking Best Telugu Film, and HanuMan bagging Best Action Direction and Best Film in the AVGC category.

Major Winners – Feature Films

• Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)

• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)

• Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)

• Best Film: 12th Fail

• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

• Best Children's Film: Naal 2

• Best Film Promoting National & Social Values: Sam Bahadur

• Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet

• Best Hindi Film: Kathal

• Best Tamil Film: Parking

• Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari

• Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku

• Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)

• Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Dindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)

• Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)

Non-Feature Films – Key Winners

• Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man

• Best Documentary: God Vulture and Human

• Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger

• Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)

• Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social & Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic

• Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu

The awards highlighted a balance of mainstream and independent cinema, celebrating the depth and diversity of Indian storytelling across languages and formats.