71st National Film Awards 2023: Complete list of winners including Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Vikrant Massey, and more. Essential for UPSC, SSC, Railways, and government exam aspirants.
71st National Film Awards 2023 – Full List of Winners
Introduction
The 71st National Film Awards, announced on 1 August 2025, celebrated the finest achievements in Indian cinema for films certified between 1 January – 31 December 2023. The official announcement was made at a press conference at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Historic Best Actor Win for Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey
In a landmark moment, Shah Rukh Khan clinched his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for Jawan, sharing the honour with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail—also his first win. This dual recognition marked a milestone for both performers
Rani Mukerji’s Long-Awaited Best Actress Award
Veteran actress Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for her portrayal in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, receiving the National Award for the first time in her longstanding career
Regional Films Shine Across Languages
Regional cinema performers and films received significant honours:
- Malayalam film Ullozhukku won Best Malayalam Film, with Urvashi awarded Best Supporting Actress (jointly), and Vijayaraghavan received Best Supporting Actor (jointly for Pookkaalam)
- Best Tamil Film: Parking
- Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
- Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu
- Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
- Other regional winners include Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, Bengali, and Assamese titles
Key Technical and Genre Awards
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Vidhu Vinod Chopra)
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Best Action Direction: Hanu-Man
- Other technical honours include Best Choreography, Music, Lyrics, Sound Design, Editing, Make-up, Costume Design, Cinematography, etc.
Jury Insights
Chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker emphasized the difficult task of comparing films across genres and languages, noting selections were made based on social impact, storytelling quality, and audience reach
Why This News Is Important for Government-Exam Aspirants
Relevance to General Studies and Current Affairs
The National Film Awards are a key cultural institution in India, often included in static and current affairs sections of competitive exams such as UPSC, state PSCs, SSC, and Railways. Questions may pertain to recent awardees, themes, jury processes, or regional film contributions.
Understanding Cultural Diversity and Social Narratives
This edition highlights the diverse linguistic and cultural representation of Indian cinema—from Bollywood to Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, and Assamese films. Recognizing regional achievements like Ullozhukku or Kathal reinforces exam topics on India’s cultural diversity and art forms.
Real-Life Stories with Social Impact
Films like 12th Fail (true journey of an IPS officer from poverty) and Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (Indian mother’s legal struggle abroad) reflect real-world social issues, resilience, and intercultural challenges—common themes in exam questions on national integration and societal values.
Important Career Firsts and Records
Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji receiving their first National Awards are notable milestones. Such firsts often form part of quiz-based questions on personalities and literary/cinematic achievements.
Insight into Government-Institutional Processes
Knowing the eligibility period (CBFC certification window), the jury appointment, and the role of Ministry and Media Centre press conference helps in answering exam questions on how India’s federal cultural awards are administered.
Historical Context
Background of the National Film Awards
Established in 1954, the National Film Awards are India’s highest honours for film excellence, recognizing the best in feature and non-feature categories, across multiple languages and formats. They aim to promote balanced representation and high standards in Indian cinema
Evolution of Award Structure
Over decades, categories expanded to include regional language honours, technical awards, social issue films, and popular entertainment recognitions. These adaptations showcase India’s evolving cinematic landscape and social ethos.
Notable Precedents
Previous editions have honored films like Rocketry (Best Feature), The Kashmir Files (National Integration), and mainstream entertainers like Kantara and RRR, demonstrating a balance between art, content, and social relevance
Key Takeaways from the 71st National Film Awards – “National Awards 2023”
| No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey jointly won Best Actor (for Jawan and 12th Fail)—both their first National Awards. |
| 2 | Rani Mukerji received her first National Award as Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. |
| 3 | 12th Fail was awarded Best Feature Film, while The Kerala Story earned Best Director recognition. |
| 4 | Regional cinema winners included: Parking (Tamil), Bhagavanth Kesari (Telugu), Ullozhukku (Malayalam), Kandeelu (Kannada), and Kathal (Hindi). |
| 5 | Jury Chairman Ashutosh Gowariker highlighted evaluation criteria including social impact, box‑office reach, and storytelling quality. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Best Actor award at the 71st National Film Awards 2023?
Both Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan and Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail were declared joint winners for Best Actor.
2. Which film won the Best Feature Film Award?
The film 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, won the Best Feature Film award.
3. Did Rani Mukerji win her first National Award in 2023?
Yes, Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, marking her first National Award win.
4. Which film received the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment?
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won the award in this category.
5. Who was the chairperson of the jury for the 71st National Film Awards?
Ashutosh Gowariker, noted film director and screenwriter, chaired the jury.
6. Which Malayalam film received recognition at the 71st National Film Awards?
Ullozhukku won Best Malayalam Film and Urvashi received the Best Supporting Actress (joint) award.
7. What was the eligibility period for films considered in the 71st National Film Awards?
Films certified by CBFC between January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 were eligible.
8. What are some regional film winners apart from Hindi films?
Regional winners include Parking (Tamil), Bhagavanth Kesari (Telugu), Kandeelu (Kannada), and Vash (Gujarati).
9. Which film received the Best Director award?
Sudipto Sen won Best Director for The Kerala Story.
10. Why are the National Film Awards important for competitive exams?
They are often asked in static GK, personality-based, or current affairs MCQs in UPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, Defence, and State PSC exams.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
