By Grace Cyril,News18

Copyright news18

India celebrates the 71st National Film Awards today, a ceremony that honours outstanding artistic and technical achievements across the country’s film industry. While the winners were announced on August 1, the official awards ceremony continue to run two years behind schedule due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The event is scheduled to begin at 4 pm at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu will personally confer the honours to winners across multiple categories. For viewers at home, the ceremony will be broadcast live on DD News starting at 3 pm, including streaming access on the channel’s official YouTube page.
The National Film Awards have long been regarded as the highest recognition in Indian cinema.
Who is receiving the awards this year?
This year’s National Film Awards highlight remarkable achievements across India’s diverse film landscape. In acting categories, Shah Rukh Khan won Best Actor for Jawan, while Vikrant Massey received the same award for 12th Fail. Rani Mukerji was awarded Best Actress for her role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
In terms of films, 12th Fail was honoured with the Best Feature Film award, while Kathal took home Best Hindi Feature Film. Regional films were also recognised: The Ray of Hope won Best Kannada Film, Bhagavanth Kesari was awarded Best Telugu Film, Vaash received Best Gujarati Film, and Parking was declared Best Tamil Feature Film.
Musical achievements were highlighted with Shilpa Rao winning Best Female Playback Singer for Jawan Ke Chaleya, and PVNS Rohit taking Best Male Playback Singer for the Telugu film Baby. The Kerala Story was recognised for Best Cinematography and Best Director (Sudipto Sen), reflecting its technical and storytelling excellence. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani earned Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography (for Dhindora Baje Re), while Sam Bahadur was awarded Best Makeup and Costume Design. Animal received Best Sound Design in Hindi and a Special Mention for Re-Recording Mixer MR Rajakrishnan.
Additionally, Karan Johar and Mohanlal will be honoured with India’s highest cinema awards for their lifetime contributions.
How the jury and rules work
The National Film Awards are divided into two main sections: Feature Films and Non-Feature Films. Jury members are appointed by the NFDC, and they evaluate all submissions independently. Importantly, neither the government nor the administration has any influence over which films are considered or which films eventually win awards.
Strict eligibility criteria ensure a fair and transparent process. To qualify, a film must be produced in India, and the director must be an Indian national. In cases of co-productions with foreign entities, a series of conditions must be fulfilled. Films must also be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification between 1 January and 31 December of the qualifying year. The jury itself decides whether a film falls under the Feature or Non-Feature Film category. Each year, over 100 films are entered in each section, making the selection process highly competitive.
The National Film Award Regulations, released annually, detail all criteria for eligibility and rules regarding films that cannot be considered. This includes technical specifications, production details, and content requirements, ensuring that only films adhering to these guidelines are reviewed by the jury.
Categories and objectives of the awards
The National Film Awards are organised into three key sections: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, and Best Writing on Cinema.
Feature Films and Non-Feature Films: These sections aim to encourage films of artistic, technical, and social excellence. They promote the understanding and appreciation of diverse regional cultures and contribute to national unity through cinema.
Best Writing on Cinema: This section recognises works that encourage study, criticism, and appreciation of cinema. It includes books, articles, reviews, and research that shed light on film as an art form and help spread awareness about its cultural significance.
Lifetime Achievement: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, named after the father of Indian cinema, honours film personalities who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
All winners receive a medallion, a certificate of merit, and a cash prize. Select awards, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, six Feature Film awards, and three Non-Feature Film and Best Writing on Cinema awards, receive the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus). The remaining categories are awarded the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).
History of the National Film Awards
The National Film Awards were first presented in 1954 as a government initiative to honour films across India and encourage the growth of Indian art and culture. From 1973 until 2020, the awards were administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, alongside other major film events such as the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama. Since 2021, the National Film Development Corporation has managed the awards, ensuring continued recognition of excellence in Indian cinema across languages and regions.