National Film Awards 2025: Full Winners List & Major Highlights

Before we jump into the winners, let’s quickly break down why the National Film Awards 2025 matter so much.

Unlike many other award shows that can feel like popularity contests, the National Film Awards 2025 are known for being genuinely merit-based. No flashy red carpets or fan votes here—just pure, unbiased recognition of cinematic excellence. That’s why winning one is considered a career-defining moment.

Every year, the Government of India presents these awards, selecting winners from films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year. A special jury, appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, picks the winners. And yes, the awards are presented by none other than the President of India. That’s how prestigious they are.

Best Actor: A Double Win That Took Everyone by Surprise

This year brought a delightful twist: two Best Actors shared the spotlight!

• Shah Rukh Khan finally grabbed his first-ever National Award for his role in Jawan. It’s been a long time coming, right?
• Vikrant Massey, known for his deeply moving performance in 12th Fail, shared the honour—and honestly, both wins felt incredibly well-deserved.

These two couldn’t be more different as actors, and that’s what made the joint win so special. One’s a Bollywood legend; the other, a rising star with serious acting chops.

Best Actress: Rani Mukerji’s Fierce Comeback

Rani Mukerji gave one of the most powerful performances of the year in Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, and the jury clearly took note. She took home Best Actress, adding another feather to her already decorated cap.

Her role as a mother battling a foreign legal system was raw, emotional, and deeply impactful. If you haven’t seen the film yet—put it on your list.

The Best Feature Film: 12th Fail Steals the Show

12th Fail didn’t just earn Vikrant Massey a Best Actor nod. It also won Best Feature Film, making it the year’s biggest winner at the National Film Awards 2025.

The story of perseverance and grit struck a chord with both critics and the audience. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest stories are the most powerful.

Regional Cinema Shines Bright

If there’s one thing the National Film Awards 2025 do best, it’s highlighting the diversity of Indian cinema. This year, regional films absolutely owned the spotlight.

• Best Hindi Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery – quirky and fresh.
• Best Tamil Film: Parking – a deep dive into urban drama.
• Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari – action-packed and compelling.
• Best Malayalam Film: Ullozhukku – a layered emotional drama.
• Best Punjabi Film: Godday Godday Chaa – rooted and vibrant.
• Best Bengali Film: Deep Fridge – quietly powerful.
• Best Marathi Film: Shyamchi Aai – a nostalgic, heartwarming tale.
• Best Kannada Film: Kandeelu – pure inspiration.
• Best Gujarati Film: Vash – a thrilling ride.
• Best Odia Film: Pushkara – cultural richness personified.
• Best Assamese Film: Rongatapu 1982 – a period piece with soul.

This lineup proves that the magic of Indian cinema exists way beyond Bollywood.

Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story

The Kerala Story was a film that sparked conversations—and Sudipto Sen’s direction played a huge role in that. His win for Best Direction shows that bold storytelling still finds its place in the National Film Awards 2025 spotlight.

Musical Moments: Best Music and Playback Awards

Let’s talk music—because no Indian film is complete without it.

• Best Music Direction (Songs): G.V. Prakash Kumar for Vaathi
• Best Background Score: Harshavardhan Rameshwar for Animal
• Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam for Balagam
• Best Male Playback Singer: P.V.N. S. Rohit for Baby
• Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao for Jawan

Each of these wins shows just how much care and talent go into the soundtracks we love.

Technical Wizards: Behind-the-Scenes Stars

It’s not all about actors and directors. The National Film Awards 2025 also celebrate the unsung heroes behind the camera.

• Best Cinematography: Prasanthanu Mohapatra (The Kerala Story)
• Best Editing: Midhun Murali (Pookkaalam)
• Best Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran & Hariharan (Animal)
• Best Production Design: Mohandas (2018 – Everyone is a Hero)
• Best Makeup: Shrikanth Desai (Sam Bahadur)
• Best Costume Design: Sachin, Divya, and Nidhhi (Sam Bahadur)

Best Supporting Roles: Quiet but Powerful Performances

The spotlight also shone on supporting roles that brought depth and authenticity.

• Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookkalam) & Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking)
• Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku) & Janaki Bodiwala (Vash)

Their performances elevated their films in quiet but powerful ways.

Special Mentions Worth Noting

M.R. Radhakrishnan received a Special Mention for his work as a Re-recording Mixer in Animal—a nod to the technical brilliance that enhances every emotional beat.

Why the National Film Awards 2025 Mattered More Than Ever

What made the National Film Awards 2025 stand out? It wasn’t just the big names or emotional speeches. It was the celebration of stories from every corner of the country, of talent both new and old, and of filmmaking that dares to push boundaries.

This year offered a perfect blend of mainstream and indie, regional and national, veterans and newcomers. That’s what makes Indian cinema magical—it’s never just one thing.

Read More: Son of Sardaar 2 Review: Ajay Devgn’s Scotland Adventure Falls Flat

Conclusion

The National Film Awards 2025 reminded us of why we fall in love with movies in the first place. Whether it was a moving drama, a thrilling action flick, or a quirky regional gem—each film that won left a mark on the audience and the industry.

And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love seeing legends like Shah Rukh Khan share a win with rising stars like Vikrant Massey?

If you haven’t caught up on these films yet, now’s the time to update that watchlist. After all, the best stories deserve to be seen—and celebrated.