71st National Film Awards: When and where to watch Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Mohanlal and others receive the awards live

The stage is finally set for one of the biggest nights in Indian cinema. After weeks of buzz, the 71st National Film Awards are ready to roll out the red carpet on September 23, 2025, at 4 pm at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. And this year is extra special—Shah Rukh Khan will take home his first-ever National Award in his 33-year career span.

Where to watch?

Fans can catch the live stream on the PIB YouTube channel, with coverage starting from 3:30 pm, showcasing all the glitz and glamour.

Winner's list

The winners’ list is packed with surprises and well-deserved honours. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail walked away with the Best Feature Film award, while the quirky Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery claimed Best Hindi Film. The Best Actor trophy is a rare tie between Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan and Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail, while Rani Mukerji was crowned Best Actress for her powerhouse performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.


Several other films made their presence felt, too. Vicky Kaushal’s Sam Bahadur raked in awards for Best Makeup, Best Costume, and Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values. Karan Johar’s colourful drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani bagged Best Choreography for Dhindora Baaje Re, while Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal scored big in technical categories like Best Sound Design and Special Mention for Re-recording Mixer M R Radhakrishnan.


The night will also see legendary actor Mohanlal being honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, marking a career that continues to inspire generations. On the directing front, Sudipto Sen struck gold with The Kerala Story, winning both Best Director and Best Cinematography. With this mix of blockbuster names and powerful performances, the 71st National Film Awards are shaping up to be a true celebration of cinema that fans won’t want to miss.