After ruling Bollywood for more than three decades, Shah Rukh Khan has finally earned his first-ever National Film Award–thanks to his performance in the 2023 blockbuster Jawan, directed by Atlee. Shah Rukh shares the award with Vikrant Massey, who was recognised for his powerful portrayal in 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
This milestone comes after years of commercial success and critical acclaim for SRK, who has previously won 14 Filmfare Awards from 30 nominations–eight of those for Best Actor, tying him with the legendary Dilip Kumar for the most wins in that category. Although he received the Padma Shri in 2005 and international honours including the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Legion of Honour from France, a National Award had long eluded the superstar–until now.
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Shah Rukh Khan’s frequent collaborator Rani Mukerji also received her first National Award, winning Best Actress for her emotionally charged performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The actress, who made her debut in 1996 with the Bengali film Biyer Phool followed by Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in Hindi, was lauded by critics and the audience for her nuanced portrayal of a mother battling a foreign legal system for her children.
Reacting to her maiden National Film Award win, Rani Mukerji said she wants to dedicate the honour to mothers across the globe. “I’m overwhelmed to have won the National Award for my performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Incidentally, this is the first-ever National Award in my 30-year career,” Mukerji said in a heartfelt statement. “As an actor, I’ve been fortunate to have had some incredible films in my body of work and to have received so much love for them. I thank the National Award jury for honouring my work in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway,” she continued.
Rani shared the recognition with her collaborators, adding: “I share this moment with the entire team of the film, my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha Advani, and Madhu Bhojwani; my director Ashima Chibber; and everyone who worked on this truly special project that celebrated the resilience of motherhood.” She reflected on what the award means to her personally and professionally. “For me, this award is also a validation of my 30-year body of work, my dedication to my craft, which I feel a deeply spiritual connection to, and my passion for cinema and this beautiful film industry of ours.”
“I dedicate my National Award to all the incredible mothers of this world. There is nothing like a mother’s love and her ferocity to protect her own. The story of this Indian immigrant mother who went all out for her child and took on a nation shook me deeply,” she said. “A mother’s love for her child is unconditional. I realised this even more when I had my own. So this win, this film, it feels deeply emotional and personal,” she added. “A mother can move mountains for her children and also make the world a better place. This film tried to show that.”
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Concluding her message, Rani took a moment to thank her audience. “It also feels like the right time to thank all my fans, from across the world, who have relentlessly supported me through thick and thin over these 30 years. Your unconditional love and support is everything I have ever needed to stay motivated, to show up at work every day, and to deliver performances that have entertained you.”
Apart from these individual wins, a diverse set of films made their mark at this year’s National Film Awards ceremony. 12th Fail not only earned Vikrant Massey the Best Actor award but also won Best Feature Film. The film had a remarkable theatrical run, lasting over 100 days–an increasingly rare feat in today’s fast-moving cinematic landscape.
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Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal was recognised in multiple technical categories, including Best Music Direction (Background Score), Best Sound Design, and a Special Mention for Re-recording Mixer. The quirky social satire Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery was named Best Hindi Film, while Sam Bahadur, starring Vicky Kaushal, took home awards for Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, and Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values.
Jawan also earned a win in the Best Female Playback Singer category (Shilpa Rao). Meanwhile, Sudipto Sen was recognised as Best Director for The Kerala Story, led by Adah Sharma.
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In a nod to mainstream cinema, Karan Johar’s vibrant romantic drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani received the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The film starred actors Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles.
