New Delhi: The 71st National Film Awards ceremony commenced at Vigyan Bhawan, where President Droupadi Murmu will confer honours on some of Indian cinema’s finest talents. The event celebrates achievements from 2023, with Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan, and Rani Mukerji among the distinguished awardees. The winners were announced earlier on August 1, 2025.

Malayalam legend Mohanlal is set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest accolade in Indian cinema, conferred annually by the Government of India during the National Film Awards.

In what is seen as one of the most Bollywood-centric editions of the awards, Shah Rukh Khan will be named Best Actor for Jawan, while Rani Mukerji will receive Best Actress for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Notably, this marks the first National Film Award win in these categories for both stars.

The honours being presented this year recognise films from 2023, after the awards faced a two-year delay owing to the pandemic.

Among others, Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail will also receive the Best Feature Film Award, while the offbeat comedy, Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery, will be honoured as the Best Hindi Film.