Context:

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the 71st National Film Awards on 1st August 2025 in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• These awards honor films released in the year 2023, certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
• • A total of 332 feature films, 115 non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 film critics’ entries were evaluated this year.
• • The jury was chaired by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.

Highlights of Awardees

Film Critic Award:

• Best Film Critic: Utpal Datta (Assamese)

Feature Films:

• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Hindi)
• Best Debut Film of a Director: Aatmapamphlet (Marathi)
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (Hindi)
• Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values: Sam Bahadur (Hindi)
• Best Children’s Film: Naal 2 (Marathi)
• Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics): Hanu-Man (Telugu)
• Best Direction: The Kerala Story (Hindi)
• Best Actor:
• Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
• Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)

• • Best Actress: Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (Hindi)
  • Best Supporting Actor:
• Vijayaraghavan (Pookkalam - Malayalam)
• Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking - Tamil)

• • Best Supporting Actress:
• Urvashi (Ullozhukku - Malayalam)
• Janki Bodiwala (Vash - Gujarati)

• • Best Child Artists:
• Sukriti Veni Bandreddy (Gandhi Tatha Chettu - Telugu)
• Kabir Khandare (Gypsy - Marathi)
• Trisha Thosar, Srinivas Pokale, Bhargav Jagtap (Naal 2 - Marathi)

• • Best Male Playback Singer: Baby – Premisthunna (Telugu)
  • Best Female Playback Singer: Jawan – Chaleya (Hindi)
  • Best Cinematography: The Kerala Story (Hindi)
  • Best Sound Design: Animal (Hindi)
  • Best Editing: Pookkalam (Malayalam)
  • Best Production Design: 2018 – Everyone is a Hero (Malayalam)
  • Best Costume Design: Sam Bahadur (Hindi)
  • Best Makeup: Sam Bahadur (Hindi)
  • Best Music Direction:
• Songs: G.V. Prakash Kumar (Vaathi – Tamil)
• Background Score: Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal – Hindi)

• • Best Lyrics: Balagam – Ooru Palleturu (Telugu)
  • Best Choreography: Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani – Dindhora Baje Re (Hindi)
  • Best Action Direction (Stunt Choreography): Hanu-Man (Telugu)

Non-Feature Films:

• Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man (Hindi), Director: Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar
• Best Debut Film of a Director: Mau: Cheraw Ki Aatma Ke Sapne (Mizo)
• Best Art/Cultural Film: Kaalateet Tamil Nadu (English)
• Best Documentary: Bhagwan Giddh Aur Manav (English, Hindi, Telugu)
• Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social & Environmental Values: Maun Mahamari (Hindi)
• Best Short Film (up to 30 min): Giddh: The Scavenger (Hindi)
• Best Direction: Pehli Film (Hindi)
• Best Cinematography: Chhote Pankh (Tamil)
• Best Sound Design: Dhundhgiri Ke Phool (Hindi)
• Best Editing: Focus Badalna (English)
• Best Music Direction: Pehli Film (Hindi)
• Best Narration/Voiceover: Pavitra Jack – Ichchhaon Ke Vriksh Ki Talash (English)
• Best Script: Soorajmukhi Ko Sabse Pehle Pata Chala... (Kannada)

Regional Cinema Awards (Under 8th Schedule Languages):

• Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982
• Best Bengali Film: Deep Freeze
• Best Gujarati Film: Vash
• Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
• Best Kannada Film: Kandilu – Asha Ki Kiran
• Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku (Antardhara)
• Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
• Best Odia Film: Pushkar
• Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
• Best Tamil Film: Parking
• Best Telugu Film: Bhagwant Kesari (Mujhe Parwah Nahin)

Awards for Non-Scheduled Languages:

• Best Garo Film: Rimdogittanga
• Best Tai Phake Film: Pai Tang: Asha Ka Kadam

Special Mention:

• Animal – (Re-recording Mixer) (Hindi)