71ST NATIONAL FILM AWARDS – WINNERS LIST (2023)

Here’s a comprehensive, unique summary of the 71st National Film Awards (for films certified in 2023), announced on 1st August 2025 by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under the Ministry of I&B):

 Feature Film Category

 Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra) won the most coveted top honour.

Best Actor (leading): Shared jointly by Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan and Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail. Notably, this marks SRK’s first-ever National Film Award.

Best Actress (leading): Rani Mukerji for her emotionally compelling performance in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway – her first National Film Award.

Best Supporting Actor: Shared between Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam) and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking).

Best Supporting Actress: Joint winners Urvashi (Ulazhukku) and Janki Bodiwala (Vash).

Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story took the directorial honour.

Best Film in Popular Category: Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani by Karan Johar, awarded Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery recognized as the standout Hindi-language film.

Regional Excellence – Best Films in Indian Languages

Best Malayalam Film: Ulazhukku by Christo Tomy

Best Tamil Film: Parking

Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari

Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope by K. Yashoda Prakash

Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai directed by Sujay Sunil Dahake, commended for its social message and emotional depth.

Best Odia Film: Pushkara, directed by Subhransu Das, celebrated as the best in Odia cinema.

Other language-specific awards: Rongatapu 1982 (Assamese), Deep Fridge (Bengali), Vash (Gujarati), among others.

Non‑Feature Film & Critics’ Categories

Best Non‑Feature Film: Flowering Man earned the distinction.

Best Documentary: Shared by God Vulture and Human.
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Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger.
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Best Debut Film of a Director (Non‑Feature): Mau: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw (Mizo) by Shilpika Bordoloi.

Best Film Critic: Utpal Datta (Assamese), honored for his contribution to film critique.

Technical & Other Special Awards Highlights

Best Film in AVGC (Animation, VFX, Gaming & Comedy): Hanu‑Man (Telugu) – standout in animation.

Best Cinematography: Prasantanu Mohapatra for The Kerala Story; also an Odia cinematographer recognized.

Special Mentions: Animal, Pookalam, Vaathi among others received jury appreciation in various capacities.

Summary Overview

The 71st National Film Awards, released on 1 August 2025, recognized cinematic excellence for films certified in 2023

. This edition celebrated a wide diversity of Indian cinema – from mainstream Hindi blockbusters to exceptional regional and non‑feature works.

12th Fail stood out as the Best Feature Film,

Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji earned their first National Awards,

Regional cinema from Marathi, Odia, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam languages received significant recognition,