National Film Awards

The National Film Awards, presented annually by the Government of India, are the most prestigious recognition in the Indian film industry. Instituted in 1954, these awards celebrate excellence across all aspects of filmmaking—direction, acting, music, cinematography, and more.

The 71st National Film Awards were announced on 1 August 2025, recognizing the best of Indian cinema in 2023. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the awards uphold the cultural diversity of Indian cinema and continue to inspire filmmakers across generations.

🏆 Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, introduced in 1969, is the highest honour in Indian cinema. It is awarded for outstanding contributions to the growth and promotion of Indian cinema.

• 2023 Recipient: Mohanlal
• Award Includes:
  • Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal)
  • ₹10,00,000 cash prize
  • Medallion and shawl

Mohanlal, with a career spanning decades, has enriched Indian cinema with unforgettable performances and versatility.

🌟 Golden Lotus Awards (Swarna Kamal)

The Golden Lotus Awards are presented for categories like Best Feature Film, Best Direction, and Best Popular Film. Winners receive ₹3,00,000, a Swarna Kamal, and a certificate.

Winners List

• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Hindi) – Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra
• Best Debut Director: Ashish Avinash Bende (Aatmapamphlet, Marathi)
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Hindi) – Directed by Karan Johar
• Best Children’s Film: Naal 2 (Marathi)
• Best Direction: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story, Hindi)
• Best Film in AVGC: Hanu-Man (Telugu) – Jetty Venkat Kumar, Prasanth Varma

🥈 Silver Lotus Awards (Rajat Kamal)

The Silver Lotus Awards recognise excellence in acting, supporting roles, technical categories, and regional cinema. Each awardee receives ₹2,00,000, Rajat Kamal, and a certificate.

Winners List

• Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan, Hindi) & Vikrant Massey (12th Fail, Hindi)
• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Hindi)
• Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam, Malayalam) & M. S. Bhaskar (Parking, Tamil)
• Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku, Malayalam) & Janki Bodiwala (Vash, Gujarati)
• Best Child Artist:
  • Sukriti Veni Bandreddi – Gandhi Tatha Chettu
  • Khabir Khandare – Gypsy
  • Treesha Thosar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav Jagtap – Naal 2 movie
• Best Playback Singing:
  • Male – P V N S Rohit (Baby, Telugu)
  • Female – Shilpa Rao (Jawan, Hindi)
• Best Screenplay (Original): Baby (Telugu) – Sai Rajesh & Parking (Tamil) – Ramkumar Balakrishnan
• Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Balagam, Telugu – “Ooru Palletooru”)
• Best Stunt Choreography: Hanu-Man (Telugu) – Nandu & Prudhvi
• Best Film in AVGC: Hanu-Man (Telugu)

🎬 Regional Cinema Awards

One of the strengths of the National Film Awards is celebrating regional cinema. Each language recognised under the Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution has a category.

Notable Winners:

• Assamese: Rongatapu 1982 – Adityam Saikia
• Bengali: Deep Fridge – Arjunn Dutta
• Gujarati: Vash – Krishnadev Yagnik
• Hindi: Kathal – Yashowardhan Mishra
• Kannada: Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope – Yeshoda Prakash Kottukathira
• Malayalam: Ullozhukku – Christo Tomy
• Marathi: Shyamchi Aai – Sujay Dahake
• Tamil: Parking – Ramkumar Balakrishnan
• Telugu: Bhagavanth Kesari – Anil Ravipudi
• Punjabi: Godday Godday Chaa – Vijay Kumar Arora

✨ Why the National Film Awards Matter

The National Film Awards are more than just trophies. They:

• Encourage creative storytelling across languages.
• Celebrate cultural diversity in India’s film industry.
• Inspire new talent through recognition.
• Bridge mainstream and regional cinema, showcasing India’s richness to the world.

The 71st National Film Awards once again highlighted the strength and diversity of Indian cinema. From blockbuster entertainers like Jawan and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to socially impactful films like 12th Fail and Sam Bahadur, the awards reflected the power of cinema to inspire, entertain, and unite audiences across India.

As the Indian film industry continues to grow globally, the National Film Awards remain a symbol of excellence and pride.

You can visit the official website of National Film Awards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)