Context:
The 71st National Film Awards, recognising excellence in Indian cinema for the year 2023, were announced. The honours celebrated both seasoned actors and emerging talent across multiple languages and genres, reflecting the depth and diversity of Indian filmmaking.
Top Awards and Major Highlights
Best Feature Film
- Winner: 12th Fail (Hindi)
- Lead Actor: Vikrant Massey (also shared Best Actor award)
Best Actor (Male) (Shared)
- Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan (Hindi)
- Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail (Hindi)
- Note: First National Award for both actors
Best Actor (Female)
- Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway (Hindi)
- Note: First National Award for Rani Mukerji
Best Director
- Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story (Hindi)
- Also won: Best Cinematography (Prasantanu Mohapatra)
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Hindi), directed by Karan Johar
Best Film on National, Social and Environmental Issues
- Sam Bahadur (Hindi), directed by Meghna Gulzar
Debut and Language Films
Best Debut Director
- Ashish Bende for Aatmapamphlet (Marathi)
Best Hindi Film
- Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
Best Children’s Film
- Naal 2 (Marathi), directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti
Best Animated/Visual Effects/Gaming/Comics Film
- Hanu-Man (Telugu)
Best Films in Regional Languages
- Assamese: Rongatapu 1982
- Bengali: Deep Fridge
- Tamil: Parking
- Kannada: Kandeelu
- Marathi: Shyamchi Aai
- Odia: Pushkara
- Punjabi: Godday Godday Chaa
- Telugu: Bhagavanth Kesari
Music and Technical Awards
Best Male Playback Singer
- PVNS Rohit for Premisthunna in Baby (Telugu)
Best Female Playback Singer
- Shilpa Rao for Chaleya in Jawan (Hindi)
Best Music Direction
- G.V. Prakash Kumar (Vaathi – Tamil)
- Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal – Hindi)
Best Lyrics
- Karsarla Shyam for Ooru Palleturu in Balagam (Telugu)
Best Dialogue
- Deepak Kingrani for Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (Hindi)
Best Choreography
- Vaibhavi Merchant for Dhindhora Baje Re in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Best Action Direction (Stunts)
- Nandu Prudhvi for Hanu-Man (Telugu)
