Shah Rukh Khan Wins First National Award For Best Actor At 71st National Film Awards

The 71st National Film Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, celebrated Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan and actor Vikrant Massey.

The awards ceremony, presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, saw SRK receiving his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his role in Jawan.

The jury also awarded Vikrant Massey the Rajat Kamal for Best Actor for his critically acclaimed performance in 12th Fail.

A Milestone for Shah Rukh Khan

SRK’s win is particularly notable as it marks his first National Award after a distinguished career spanning over three decades.

Known worldwide as the ‘King of Bollywood’, Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in more than 80 films, encompassing genres such as romance, action, and drama.

His charismatic screen presence, versatility, and active engagement with fans worldwide through social media and international tours bolster his global popularity.

Over the years, SRK has received numerous international honours, including UNESCO’s Pyramide con Marni Award, Morocco’s L’Etoile d’Or from King Mohammed VI, Wissame Al Kafaa Al Fikria, and France’s Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. He was also awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2005.

Vikrant Massey, like SRK, transitioned from television to film and has steadily gained acclaim for his diverse roles.

His breakthrough performances in A Death in the Gunj and Chhapaak cemented his position in cinema. Vikrant has also been praised for his roles in popular OTT series such as Mirzapur and HIT: The First Case.

His National Award win for 12th Fail recognises his compelling portrayal in a film that resonated widely.

The Award Ceremony

The ceremony commenced following the arrival of dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, and eminent filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker and P Sheshadri, as well as author Gopalakrishna Pai.

Announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 1 August 2025, the 71st National Film Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Indian cinema for the year 2023.

The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) administers the awards and a structured jury system adjudicates them.

Regional committees nominate entries, and a central committee chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker reviews them for the Feature Film category.

The Indian cinema community regards the National Film Awards as one of its most prestigious honours, recognising both artistic and technical excellence.

The event maintains a formal and unbiased selection process, aiming to promote and celebrate the diversity and creativity of Indian filmmaking.

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