Bollywood made a significant impact at the 71st National Film Awards, taking home top honors such as Best Actor (awarded jointly to Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey), Best Actress (Rani Mukerji), and Best Director (Sudipto Sen). A number of Hindi films also garnered accolades.
The announcement of the 71st National Film Awards took place in Delhi on Friday, conducted by the jury. These awards recognize films released in 2023, celebrating the finest offerings of Indian cinema across various languages and industries. After a considerable hiatus, Hindi cinema reigned supreme, securing most of the key awards, including the prestigious four: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Film.
The jury’s announcements were made during a live broadcast by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Bollywood films claimed a total of 14 awards across various categories that were not restricted by language. This included a Best Film victory for 12th Fail and a Best Actor accolade for Vikrant Massey in the same movie. He shared the honor with Shah Rukh Khan, co-recipient for his role in Jawan. Rani Mukerji further solidified Bollywood’s success with her Best Actress award for her notable performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The evening concluded with Sudipto Sen winning Best Director for The Kerala Story.
Karan Johar’s film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani also triumphed, winning the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur took home several awards, including the distinguished title of Best Film Promoting National and Social Values. Other Hindi films recognized during the event included Animal and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.
Bhagavanth Kesari has won the ‘Best Telugu Film’ award at the esteemed 71st National Film Awards.
Featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna in a compelling role and helmed by Anil Ravipudi, the film masterfully combined emotion, action, and a social message. Its inspiring tagline, “Bano Beti Ko Sher,” resonated with audiences, establishing it as not only a commercial success but also a film of significant national importance.
The list of notable awards includes:
- Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (“Dindhora Baje Re” – Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani)
- Best Music Direction: Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal), GV Prakash Kumar (Vaathi)
- Best Makeup: Shrikanth Desai (Sam Bahadur)
- Best Costume Design: Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi (Sam Bahadur)
- Best Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan (Animal)
- Best Dialogue: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandha Kaafi Hai)
- Best Cinematography: Prasanthanu Mohapatra (The Kerala Story)
- Best Actress in Leading Role: Rani Mukerjee (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Direction: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
- Best Film Promoting National, Social Values: Sam Bahadur
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Other Winners:
Special mentions: MR Rajakrishnan (Animal – Re-Recording)
Best Tai Phake Film: Pai Tang…Step of Hope
Best Garo Film: Rimdottianga
Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari
Best Tamil Film: Parking
Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa
Best Odia Film: Pushkara
Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai
Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku
Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu
Best Hindi Film: Kathal
Best Gujarati Film: Vash
Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge
Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982
Best Action Direction: Nandu-Prudhvi (HanuMan)
Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (Ooru Palleturu – Balagam)
Best Music Direction: , Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
Best Production Design: Mohandas (2018)
Best Editing: Midhun Murali (Pookkaalam)
Best Screenplay: Sai Rajesh (Baby), Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking)
Best Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Chaliya – Jawan), Rohit (Premisthunna – Baby)
Best Child Artist: Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)
Best Actor in Supporting Role: Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash), Vijayaraghavan (Pookalam), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
Best Film in AVGC: HanuMan
Best Children’s Film: Naal 2
Best Debut Film: Aatmapamphlet
Non-feature films:
Special mentions: Nekal – Chronicle of the Paddy Man, The Sea and the Seven Villages
Best Script: Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know
Best Voiceover: Hari Krishnan S (The Sacred Jack – Exploring The Tree of Wishes)
Best Music Direction: Pranil Desai (The First Film)
Best Editing: Niladri Roy (Moving Focus)
Best Sound Design: Shubarun Sengupta (Dhundhgiri Ke Phool)
Best Cinematography: Meenakshi Soman, Saravanamaruthu (Little Wings)
Best Direction: Piyush Thakur (The First Film)
Best Short Film: Giddh The Scavenger
Best Non-Feature Film Promoting Social and Environmental Values: The Silent Epidemic
Best Documentary Film: God Vulture and Human
Best Art/Culture Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction Film: Mo Bou Mo Gaan, Lentina Ao
Best Debut Film: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
Best Non-Fiction Film: Flowering Man
