The 71st National Film Awards 2025, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi and graced by President Droupadi Murmu, marked a historic celebration of Indian cinema. This year’s most prestigious honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was conferred upon legendary Malayalam actor Mohanlal for his outstanding contribution, artistic brilliance, and influence across four decades in Indian films.
Mohanlal: A Lifetime of Achievement
Mohanlal, fondly known as “Lalettan”, has starred in over 350 films spanning Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, winning multiple National Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards throughout his career. His deep dedication to the craft, remarkable versatility: from soldier and poet to king and common man, and ability to connect with audiences have earned him universal respect and fandom.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award crowns his journey as one of India’s greatest cinematic icons, joining past legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, and Mithun Chakraborty.
Do You Know?
The recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke is honoured with a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, recognizing their lifetime achievement.
Major Award Winners: 71st National Film Awards
This year’s ceremony reflected the diversity and talent of Indian cinema with winners from across languages and artistic domains:
Do you know?
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 to commemorate Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as the Father of Indian cinema, who directed India’s first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913.
| Major Award Winners: 71st National Film Awards | ||
| Award | Winner/ Film | Language/ Note |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Mohanlal | Lifetime Achievement |
| Best Actor (Joint) | Shah Rukh Khan (“Jawan”) Vikrant Massey (“12th Fail”) |
Hindi |
| Best Actress | Rani Mukerji (“Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway”) | Hindi |
| Best Feature Film | “12th Fail” | Hindi |
| Best Director | Sudipto Sen (“The Kerala Story”) | Hindi |
| Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” | Hindi |
| Best Hindi Film | “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” | Hindi |
| Best Regional Films | “Bhagavanth Kesari” | Telugu |
| “Parking” | Tamil | |
| “Ullozhukku” | Malayalam | |
| “Godday Godday Chaa” | Punjabi | |
| “Pushkara” | Odia | |
| “Shyamchi Aai” | Marathi | |
| “Deep Fridge” | Bengali | |
| “Rongatapu 1982” | Assamese | |
| Best Choreography | Vaibhavi Merchant (“Rocky Aur Rani…”) | Hindi |
| Best Sound Design | “Animal” | Hindi |
| Best Male Playback Singer | P. V. N. S. Rohit (“Baby”) | Telugu |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Shilpa Rao (“Jawan”) | Hindi |
| Best Feature Film Promoting National/ Social/ Environmental Values | “Sam Bahadur” | Hindi |
Fun Fact: The National Film Festival is the oldest and most prominent film award ceremony in India, started in 1954, honoring the best of Indian cinema every year.
Reflections of the 71st National Film Awards
The 71st National Film Awards honoured not only commercial stars but also impactful storytellers, technical masters, and regional talent. The recognition of Mohanlal with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award highlights cinema’s universal language of craft and heart. Other winners, from Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji to directors, singers, and production teams, underline the vibrancy and excellence of contemporary Indian film.
Interesting fact: Mohanlal was given the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Indian Territorial Army, a rare distinction for an Indian actor
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