71st National Film Awards Winners: Shah Rukh Khan Clinches First Best Actor Honour, ’12th Fail’ Named Best Feature Film

The prestigious 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi, honouring the finest achievements in Indian cinema from the year 2023. This year’s awards reflect the evolving landscape of the film industry, where mainstream blockbusters and powerful regional stories found equal recognition across categories. The event served as a grand celebration of talent, creativity, and impactful storytelling that resonated with audiences nationwide.

A major moment of pride came as Shah Rukh Khan, one of the most iconic names in Indian cinema, won his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his role in the action-packed hit Jawan. Known for a career filled with memorable roles and mass appeal, this recognition marked a significant milestone for the actor and his fans alike.

Khan shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey, who earned acclaim for his compelling performance in 12th Fail. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film didn’t just win hearts—it also took home the Best Feature Film award, further solidifying its place as one of the standout projects of the year.

Rani Mukerji was awarded Best Actress for her emotionally charged portrayal in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, while Sudipto Sen walked away with the Best Director award for the thought-provoking and widely discussed The Kerala Story.

The awards spanned a wide range of categories, including regional cinema, technical achievements, and social impact, underlining the diversity and richness of Indian filmmaking in 2023.

Complete List of Winners – 71st National Film Awards

Feature Films

• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
• 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 Actor in Supporting Role: Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash), Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
• Best Child Artist: Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)

Best Regional Films

• Best Hindi Film: Kathal
• Best Tamil Film: Parking
• Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
• Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
• Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu
• Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
• Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
• Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
• Best Gujarati Film: Vash
• Best Odia Film: Pushkara
• Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982
• Best Tai Phake Film: Pai Tang…Step of Hope
• Best Garo Film: Rimdottianga

Other Major Awards

• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
• Best Film Promoting National and Social Values: Sam Bahadur
• Best Children’s Film: Naal 2
• Best Debut Film of a Director: Aatmapamphlet
• Best Film in AVGC (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics): HanuMan

Technical and Creative Awards

• Best Screenplay: Sal Rajesh (Baby), Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
• Best Dialogue: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandha Kaafi Hai)
• Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Ooru Palleturu – Balagam)
• Best Music Direction: GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
• Best Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaliya – Jawan), Rohit (Premisthunna – Baby)
• Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Dindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)
• Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)
• 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 Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan (Animal)
• Special Mention (Feature Film): M R Rajakrishnan (Animal – Re-Recording)

Non-Feature Films

• Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man
• Best Documentary Film: God Vulture and Human
• Best Art and Cultural Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
• Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film: Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao
• Best Debut Film (Non-Feature): The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
• Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic
• Best Short Film: Giddh – The Scavenger
• Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)
• Best Script: Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know
• Best Music Direction: Pranil Desal (The First Film)
• Best Voiceover: Hari Krishnan S (The Sacred Jack – Exploring The Tree of Wishes)
• Best Editing: Niladri Roy (Moving Focus)
• Best Sound Design: Shubarun Sengupta (Dhundhgiri Ke Phool)
• Best Cinematography: Meenakshi Soman, Saravanamaruthu (Little Wings)
• Special Mentions: Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, The Sea and the Seven Villages