The 71st National Film Awards turned into a memorable evening at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 23, as President Droupadi Murmu honoured some of Indian cinema’s finest names. The winners, earlier announced in August, were officially felicitated at the ceremony.
The biggest highlight was Shah Rukh Khan receiving his first-ever National Award in a career spanning over three decades. He shared the Best Actor title with Vikrant Massey.
While Shah Rukh was recognised for his powerful role in Jawan, Vikrant won for his inspiring performance in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail. Both were presented with the Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her heart-wrenching act in Mrs Chatterjee vs. Norway.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail also bagged Best Feature Film, while Sudipto Sen won Best Director for The Kerala Story. Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani received the award for Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur won Best Film Promoting National and Social Values.
The evening also belonged to Malayalam legend Mohanlal, who was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The actor, who has defined Malayalam cinema, received a standing ovation. “This moment is not mine alone; it belongs to the entire Malayalam industry and our audiences,” Mohanlal said emotionally in his speech.
Regional cinema also shone bright. Parking (Tamil) not only won Best Tamil Film but also Best Screenplay Writer. Bhagavanth Kesari won Best Telugu Film, Ullozhukku was named Best Malayalam Film, Shyamchi Aai was honoured as Best Marathi Film, while Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery stood out as Best Hindi Film.
The event saw the presence of stars including Karan Johar, Vaibhavi Merchant, and Ronnie Screwvala. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting secretary Sabjay Jaju summed up the spirit of the evening, calling it “a historic day” where icons like Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji were celebrated for their artistry and resilience.
