In a landmark 71st National Film Awards, Vikrant Massey's raw performance took top honors, while a Special Jury Award for Shah Rukh Khan’s 'Jawan' celebrated a superstar's triumphant return.
NEW DELHI –Every year, when the National Film Awards are announced, the same debate erupts: Art versus Commerce. The small, heartfelt story versus the big-budget spectacle. But this year, something different happened. The 71st National Film Awards didn't pick a side; they told a story. A story about what Indian audiences, and in turn, the nation's most prestigious jury, truly valued in 2023.
And the answer was loud and clear: authenticity.
This wasn't just another awards ceremony. It was a validation. A validation for the underdog, for the superstar who reinvented himself, and for stories that dared to be real. The big headlines will tell you that '12th Fail' was the big winner and that Shah Rukh Khan finally got his National Award moment for 'Jawan'. But the real story is why this matters, and what it says about the future of our cinema.
The Performance That Became a Movement: Vikrant Massey's Win for '12th Fail'
Let's be honest. '12th Fail' wasn't supposed to be a blockbuster. It had no flashy songs, no larger-than-life hero. Its hero was a quiet, determined young man from Chambal with a seemingly impossible dream. And yet, it became one of the most important films of the year. It wasn't a film you watched; it was a life you lived for two and a half hours.
At the heart of it all was Vikrant Massey. And now, he is the Best Actor in the country.
This isn't just an award; it's a statement. Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma was an act of complete surrender. He didn't just play the part; he disappeared into it. You could see the hunger in his eyes, the weight of failure in his slumped shoulders, and the stubborn fire of hope that refused to be extinguished. He wore exhaustion on his bones. In a sea of six-pack abs and choreographed action, here was an actor who made you feel the grit under his fingernails.
By awarding him the top honor, the jury celebrated something profound: the power of an honest performance. They chose the quiet intensity of a man rewriting his destiny over the loud roar of a typical hero. For countless aspiring actors and filmmakers, Vikrant's win is a beacon. It confirms that you don't need a dynasty or a massive budget to reach the very top—all you need is undeniable talent and a story that beats with a true heart.
The King's Conundrum: How the Jury Rewarded SRK's 'Jawan'
Now, for the other side of the coin. What do you do with a force of nature like 'Jawan'? It was a movie that broke every box office record, a cultural phenomenon driven by the return of a king. But was it "National Award" material?
This has always been the challenge for superstars like Shah Rukh Khan. His immense popularity can sometimes overshadow the craft in his performances. We all remember the collective sigh when his career-best work in 'Swades' was overlooked years ago. It felt like the jury couldn't see the actor for the star.
This year, they finally did.
Awarding SRK the Special Jury Award for 'Jawan' was a brilliant move. It was the jury's way of saying, "We see it. We acknowledge it." They recognized that this wasn't just another action movie. It was a politically charged, emotionally complex performance where SRK channeled the nation's frustrations. He was both a seasoned, weary soldier and a charismatic, stylish vigilante. It was a tightrope walk of a performance, and he never faltered.
This SRK National Award isn't a consolation prize. It's a prestigious honor that acknowledges the difficulty and impact of what he achieved. He didn't just deliver a blockbuster; he delivered a blockbuster with a conscience, and after nearly three decades in the industry, he proved he could still surprise us all. It's the kind of validation that feels long overdue.
Beyond Bollywood: Where Stories Found Their Voice
While the Best Actor and Jawan movie awards grabbed headlines, the spirit of the 71st National Film Awards truly shone in its other categories.
Rani Mukerji rightfully won Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Her performance was the polar opposite of Vikrant Massey's quietude; it was a hurricane of emotion, a primal scream of a mother's love that was almost difficult to watch, yet impossible to look away from. It was a powerful reminder of the incredible female talent we have, carrying on the legacy of acting titans like the great Urvashi.
But what was truly exciting was the recognition for smaller, regional films that packed a massive punch. The Tamil film 'Parking' walked away with Best Screenplay, and anyone who has seen it understands why. It took a simple, everyday conflict—a dispute over a parking spot—and masterfully spun it into a nail-biting thriller about male ego and simmering class tension. It's a story that could have happened in any city, in any language, proving that a great script is universal.
Similarly, the recognition for a film like 'Bhagavanth Kesari' in technical categories shows that the jury respects pure, unadulterated cinematic craft, even in a film designed for mass entertainment.
The Winners' Circle: A Snapshot of the 71st National Film Awards
So, after all the debate, here's a look at the major wins that have everyone talking from the National Film Awards 2025 winners list:
Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
Best Actor: Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway)
Special Jury Award (Performance): Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Jawan
Best Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra (12th Fail)
Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi (OMG 2)
Best Screenplay (Original): Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
The Final Word: A Win for the Audience
In the end, the jury for the 71st National Film Awards didn't just reward a set of films and actors. They rewarded the taste of the Indian audience. In 2023, the audience proved that it had an appetite for everything: for quiet, inspirational stories that mirror their own lives, and for grand, spectacular epics that allow them to escape.
They proved they could flock to theaters for a film with no stars like '12th Fail' and for a film with the biggest star, SRK. The message was clear: tell us a good story. Tell it with heart. Tell it with conviction. And we will listen.
This year, the National Awards listened too. And that’s a win for all of us.