The 71st National Film Awards, honouring Indian cinema certified in 2023, were announced on August 1 in New Delhi. This year marked a significant milestone as Shah Rukh Khan clinched his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his role in Jawan, a recognition he shared with Vikrant Massey for his powerful portrayal in 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji bagged the Best Actress award for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, marking another career high for the seasoned star.
12th Fail emerged as the Best Feature Film, while Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery was awarded Best Hindi Film. The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen was honoured with Best Direction, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was named Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The awards reflected the diversity and depth of Indian cinema, with strong showings from both mainstream and regional industries.
Regional cinema received notable recognition. Shyamchi Aai was declared Best Marathi Film, while Ullozhukku won Best Malayalam Film. Other winners included Bhagavanth Kesari (Best Telugu Film), Parking (Best Tamil Film), Rongatapu 1982 (Best Assamese Film), Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope (Best Kannada Film), Vash (Best Gujarati Film), and Godday Godday Chaa (Best Punjabi Film), showcasing the vibrant storytelling traditions across the country.
In the technical categories, Dhindhora Baje Re from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won Best Choreography, while Hanu-Man was recognised for Best Action Direction. The Kerala Story also won Best Cinematography. The award for Best Music Direction (Songs) went to Vaathi (Tamil), and Animal won for Best Background Score. Best Screenplay accolades were shared between Baby and Parking, while Deepak Kingrani won Best Dialogue Writer for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.
Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam) and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking) shared the Best Supporting Actor award, while Urvashi (Ullozhukku) and Janki Bodiwala (Vash) were jointly honoured as Best Supporting Actress. The Best Child Artist award went to Sukriti Veni Bandarreddi, Kabir Khandane, and Treesh Thosar for their standout performances.
Beyond feature films, several non-feature films and documentaries were recognised, including Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, which earned a special mention. Awards were also presented for best editing, sound design, costume, make-up, and production design, including wins for Pookkaalam, Animal, Sam Bahadur, and 2018: Everyone is a Hero.
The 71st National Film Awards not only celebrated the biggest names in Indian cinema but also spotlighted emerging talent, regional voices, and stories that resonated deeply with audiences. This year’s honours reaffirmed the evolving yet rich landscape of Indian filmmaking—where commercial success and critical acclaim continue to intersect.
