For Shah Rukh, this win was extra special. Despite ruling the box office and being one of India’s most celebrated actors for more than 30 years, he had never before received a National Award.
Shah Rukh Khan gets National Award for 'Jawan'
Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘King of Bollywood’, has finally added one of Indian cinema’s most respected honours to his long list of achievements, because on September 23, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu presented him with the National Film Award for Best Actor for his 2023 blockbuster ‘Jawan’.
For Shah Rukh, this win was extra special. Despite ruling the box office and being one of India’s most celebrated actors for more than 30 years, he had never before received a National Award.
Advertisement
As he held the medallion, the 59-year-old star looked visibly emotional. “To be honoured with a National Award is a moment I will cherish for a lifetime,” he said in his first reaction.
Advertisement
Dressed in a crisp black suit, Shah Rukh Khan walked onto the stage with his trademark charm to receive the National Award, but the gravity of the moment was clear in his expression. For decades, fans and critics had wondered why he had never won a National Award. After all, he had delivered some of the biggest hits and memorable performances in Indian cinema.
The recognition for ‘Jawan’, which became one of the highest-grossing films of 2023, has finally filled that gap for the superstar.
The 71st National Film Awards turned into a memorable night for more reasons. Rani Mukerji also won her first National Award for Best Actress, recognised for her powerful role in ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’.
The win came almost three decades after her debut in the industry. So, this counts as a deeply personal milestone.
Interestingly, Shah Rukh did not stand alone on the winners’ stage. He shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey, who received the honour for his performance in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ’12th Fail’.
The awards ceremony, organised by the National Film Development Corporation of India, was a grand affair. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had announced the winners on August 1, 2025, after evaluating hundreds of submissions.
This year, there were 332 entries in the feature film category, 115 in non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics’ entries.
Advertisement
