New Delhi: The 71st National Film Awards turned out to be a night of glory for Bollywood’s finest, with veteran star Rani Mukerji bagging the Best Actress award for her stirring performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. In a rare occurrence, the Best Actor honour was shared by two contrasting yet equally compelling performances—Shah Rukh Khan for the blockbuster Jawan and Vikrant Massey for the critically acclaimed ‘12th Fail’.

Rani's emotional triumph

Rani Mukerji’s portrayal of a mother fighting against an entire foreign system in ‘Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’ earned widespread critical praise, and her National Award recognition marks a significant milestone in her three-decade-long career. The actress dedicated her win to "mothers across the world who battle for their children every day."

A double celebration for ‘Best Actor’

Shah Rukh Khan, whose return to the big screen with ‘Jawan’ was nothing short of a cinematic phenomenon, shared the Best Actor trophy with Vikrant Massey, whose understated and deeply human performance in ‘12th Fail’ won hearts and critics alike. This is Khan’s first National Award.

While Khan’s role combined commercial heroism with social commentary, Massey’s character—a determined UPSC aspirant from a humble background—represented perseverance and quiet resilience.

In his statement, Khan expressed gratitude to his fans and the film’s director, Atlee: “Jawan was a film from the heart. This award belongs to the team and every person who showed me love in my second innings.”

Massey, visibly emotional, said, “To share this honour with Shah Rukh sir is beyond anything I ever imagined. 12th Fail was my most personal project.”

Good time for Bollywood:

Filmmaker Karan Johar's "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" bagged the award for best popular film for wholesome entertainment, while Meghna Gulzar's ‘Sam Bahadur’ was named best feature film promoting national, social, and environmental values. ‘Sam Bahadur’ was also recognised for costume and make-up honours.

An award season with strong performances

This year’s awards saw a mix of mainstream and content-driven cinema being celebrated, highlighting the industry's evolving landscape. The jury, chaired by a panel of industry veterans, said the winners were chosen for their “emotional depth, cultural relevance, and sheer performance brilliance.”

The National Film Awards for the year 2023 were announced by jury head and filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker here. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held later this month at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours.