In a truly special and long-awaited moment, Shah Rukh Khan, the King of Bollywood, has finally won his first National Film Award! After 33 years of ruling hearts, he has been honoured with the Best Actor award for his powerful performance in Atlee’s blockbuster “Jawan”. He shares this honour with Vikrant Massey, who gave a heartfelt performance in “12th Fail”.
The 71st National Film Awards turned out to be a night full of joy and surprises, celebrating all kinds of films from big-budget entertainers to meaningful, emotional stories. That tells us a lot about how the Indian Audience not only loves action movies filled with mega stars, but also appreciates movies that captivate raw and genuine emotions.
While Shah Rukh’s win marks a huge career milestone, Vikrant Massey’s award is a big win for raw talent and honest storytelling. His film “12th Fail”, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, didn’t just win him the Best Actor title, it also won Best Feature Film, proving it was one of the most impactful movies of the year.
Another big moment was Rani Mukerji winning Best Actress for her emotional role in “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway”. Her powerful performance as a mother fighting for her children touched hearts across the country and has now earned her the highest honour in Indian cinema.
In the entertainment category, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, directed by Karan Johar, won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. This colourful, emotional film showed that Bollywood can still deliver big hits with heart and meaning and had a typical Karan Johar touch to it with intense production and music.
Best Director went to Sudipto Sen for “The Kerala Story”, a film that sparked a lot of conversation across the nation. Despite mixed opinions, the jury recognised his strong storytelling and direction.
This year’s awards showed a perfect balance between commercial hits and content-driven films. Whether it was Shah Rukh Khan finally getting his due, Vikrant Massey’s rise as a powerful actor, or Rani Mukerji’s comeback to awards glory, the 70th National Film Awards were truly a celebration of Indian cinema’s diversity. From newcomers to legends, all stood side by side. The message was clear: whether it’s a big-budget movie or a simple story, told beautifully, real work will always shine.
For fans, filmmakers, and movie lovers, these awards will be remembered not just for who won, but for what they stood for: talent, variety, and unforgettable performances.
