The prestigious 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025, honoring the finest achievements in Indian cinema for films certified in the calendar year 2023. This year’s awards recognized a diverse array of films and performances that left an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike, reaffirming the vitality and variety of Indian cinema.

Top Honours: A Year of Powerful Stories and Performances

The Hindi-language biographical drama “12th Fail” took home the Best Feature Film award. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and based on real-life events, the film’s poignant narrative of resilience and aspiration struck a chord across the nation.

In a rare and celebratory moment, two legends shared the Best Actor title:

• Shah Rukh Khan was awarded for his intense performance in “Jawan”, a socially charged action film directed by Atlee.
• Vikrant Massey earned accolades for his moving portrayal of a determined UPSC aspirant in “12th Fail.”

Veteran actress Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for her powerful performance in “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway”, a true story about a mother battling a foreign system to reclaim her children. The film highlighted emotional depth and international relevance.

Directorial & Technical Excellence

• Best Director was awarded to Sudipto Sen for “The Kerala Story”, a bold film exploring sensitive socio-political issues.
• The film also won Best Cinematography (Prasantanu Mohapatra), reinforcing its technical prowess.
• “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” bagged Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, with its mix of grandeur, emotion, and social commentary.

Supporting and Child Performances

• Best Supporting Actor (Joint):
  • Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam, Malayalam)
  • M. S. Bhaskar (Parking, Tamil)
• Best Supporting Actress (Joint):
  • Urvashi (Ullazhukku, Malayalam)
  • Janki Bodiwala (Vash, Gujarati)

Child artists were also celebrated for their endearing performances:

• Sukriti Veni Bandreddi (Gandhi Tatha Chettu, Telugu)
• Kabir Khandare (Gypsy, Marathi)
• Ensemble of Treesha Thosar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav Jagtap (Naal 2, Marathi)

Musical Highlights

• Best Music Direction (Songs): G. V. Prakash Kumar (Vaathi, Tamil)
• Best Background Score: Harshavardhan Rameshwar (Animal)
• Best Male Playback Singer: P. V. N. S. Rohit (Baby, Telugu)
• Best Female Playback Singer: Shilpa Rao (Jawan – “Chaleya”, Hindi)
• Best Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam (“Ooru Palleturu”, Balagam)
• Best Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani)

Writing & Dialogue

• Best Screenplay:
  • Sai Rajesh Neelam (Baby, Telugu)
  • Ramkumar Balakrishnan (Parking, Tamil)
• Best Dialogue: Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai)

These awards highlighted the growing importance of strong screenwriting in modern Indian cinema.

Technical Awards

• Best Editing: Midhun Murali (Pookkaalam, Malayalam)
• Best Sound Design: Sachin Sudhakaran & Hariharan Muralidharan (Animal)
• Best Production Design: Mohandas (2018: Everyone Is a Hero)
• Best Costume Design: Team Sam Bahadur
• Best Makeup: Shrikant Desai (Sam Bahadur)
• Best Action Direction: Hanu-Man (Telugu)

Regional Cinema: Diverse and Dynamic

India’s linguistic and cultural variety was well represented:

These selections reflected strong regional storytelling and innovative filmmaking across India.

Non-Feature Films

• Best Non-Feature Film: Flowering Man (Hindi)
• Best Documentary: God Vulture and Human
• Best Short Film: Giddh: The Scavenger
• Best Debut Director: Mau: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw – Shilpika Bordoloi
• Best Arts/Cultural Film: Timeless Tamil Nadu
• Best Film on Social/Environmental Issues: The Silent Epidemic

Conclusion: A Year of Impact and Inclusion

The 71st National Film Awards underscored a year marked by cinematic courage, cultural nuance, and emotional resonance. Whether it was Shah Rukh Khan’s fiery action avatar, Vikrant Massey’s underdog story, or Rani Mukerji’s maternal rage, Indian cinema in 2023 offered unforgettable performances and meaningful narratives.

As the film industry continues to evolve with experimentation and digital influence, these awards stand as a reminder of the timeless power of compelling stories — told in many languages, through many lenses, across one diverse nation.

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The narrative of “Dunki” revolves around the colloquialism of ‘dunki maarna,’ symbolizing illegal migration. Shah Rukh Khan plays the character of Hardyal Singh Dhillon, or Hardy, who serves as the catalyst for the journey of Mannu (Taapsee Pannu), Buggu (Vikram Kochhar), and Balli (Anil Grover). Their odyssey takes them through perilous underwater and overland terrains spanning Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, all the way to their dream destination, London.

Before delving into the international escapade, the film sets the stage in a fictional Punjab village, showcasing the hardscrabble lives of its protagonists. Their aspirations are encapsulated in the pursuit of cracking the UK visa maze through small-time agents. While the challenges of navigating English interviews, facing rejections, and dealing with visa complications seem to be classic Hirani material, “Dunki” falls short of delivering the director’s signature fabulism.

Rajkumar Hirani has been celebrated for making audiences willingly suspend disbelief, creating colorful and charismatic characters in improbable scenarios. From a 45-year-old playing a 20-something student in “Three Idiots” to portraying a googly-eyed alien in “PK,” Hirani’s cinematic sleight of hand has captivated viewers. Yet, “Dunki” feels like a departure from this enchanting formula, presenting a decidedly jaded version of the director.

The film’s attempts to capture the essence of struggling with UK visa issues and the humor that usually accompanies such situations fall flat. The narrative, which should have been Hirani’s playground, feels more like a concoction of Mind Your Language with a touch of reverse Purab-aur-Paschim. The snarky interviews and the struggles of mastering the English language, usually a goldmine for comedic moments in Hirani’s films, lack the expected sparkle.

One of the film’s critical moments involves Shah Rukh Khan declaring his safety in his homeland, a scene reminiscent of the actor’s recent patriotic roles in “Pathaan” and “Jawan.” However, what should have been a poignant and stirring moment fails to leave a lasting impact. Unlike previous instances where SRK’s portrayal resonated emotionally, “Dunki” misses the mark, leaving the audience yearning for the depth that characterizes Hirani’s best works.

Amidst the shortcomings, Vicky Kaushal emerges as a standout performer, injecting a brief yet memorable arc that harks back to the earlier Hirani, capable of eliciting both laughter and tears. However, this lone bright spot isn’t sufficient to salvage the film from its overall lackluster presentation.

In conclusion, “Dunki” struggles to capture the magic of Rajkumar Hirani’s previous cinematic triumphs. While the premise had the potential to explore relevant issues with Hirani’s trademark wit and wisdom, the execution falls short. The film is a departure from the director’s established style, leaving audiences reminiscing about the captivating storytelling that defined his earlier works. “Dunki” remains a missed opportunity, offering a lukewarm experience rather than the enchanting cinematic journey expected from a Hirani-Khan collaboration.

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Filmmakers are closely monitoring advance booking trends, while film trade pundits speculate on the possible division of the country’s audience over their film choices. Some express concern over screen distribution, while others predict a regional split, envisioning the North favoring Shah Rukh Khan’s allure and the South leaning towards Prabhas’ action-packed extravaganza.

As the curtain rises, current advance booking figures indicate a slight edge for “Dunki,” with opening day ticket sales reaching approximately ₹7.5 crore, closely followed by Prashanth Neel’s “Salaar” at ₹6.5 crore. Film business expert Girish Johar predicts a robust opening for “Dunki” in the range of ₹35-40 crore on Thursday, with “Salaar” expected to record an opening figure of ₹25 crore on Friday.

Johar optimistically highlights the unique appeal of both films, targeting different demographics and geographical regions. He envisions a potential double bonanza for 2023, with both “Dunki” and “Salaar” finding success at the box office.

Film trade analyst Komal Nahta anticipates a regional divide, suggesting that “Dunki” holds a significant edge in non-southern states, owing to Shah Rukh Khan’s successful run and Rajkumar Hirani’s directorial prowess. In the South, Prabhas’ star power may tip the scales in favor of “Salaar.”

Film exhibitor Akkshay Rathi echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing that both films cater to different demographics. “Dunki” is poised for success among urban audiences and multiplexes, while “Salaar” targets tier 2 and tier 3 cities, single screens, and a diverse demographic. Rathi expects “Dunki” to open in Hindi around ₹30-35 crore, with its characteristic gradual growth. For “Salaar,” a significant opening in Telugu is anticipated, with a Hindi opening projected around ₹15-18 crore.

As the nation awaits this cinematic clash, the Christmas week promises an exciting array of choices for audiences, ensuring a vibrant end to the cinematic calendar for 2023.

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