Shah Rukh Khan Wins First National Award After 30 Years for ‘Jawan’
After three decades in Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan wins first National Film Award for ‘Jawan’; shares Best Actor honour with Vikrant Massey
New Delhi, Sept 23: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan finally clinched his first National Film Award, receiving the Best Actor honour for his performance in the 2023 blockbuster Jawan. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan, marking a historic milestone in the actor’s illustrious 30-year career.
At 59, the ‘King of Bollywood’ appeared visibly emotional as he held the medallion, saying, “To be honoured with a National Award is a moment I will cherish for a lifetime.” Despite delivering numerous iconic performances and box office hits over three decades, a National Award had eluded him until now.
Jawan, one of the highest-grossing films of 2023, earned him widespread acclaim and finally bridged the gap in his award portfolio. Shah Rukh shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey, recognised for his role in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail.
The 71st National Film Awards also saw Rani Mukerji winning her first Best Actress award for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, nearly 30 years after her industry debut. The ceremony, organised by the National Film Development Corporation of India, evaluated 332 feature films, 115 non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics’ entries before announcing the winners on August 1, 2025.
The event celebrated decades of cinematic excellence and was a memorable night for Indian cinema, with veterans and newcomers alike being recognised for their contributions.
