71st National Film Awards Ceremony: Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji received the National Film Award for Best Actor and Best Actress at the 71st National Film Awards Ceremony which took place in New Delhi on Tuesday. They received the honour from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Vikrant Massey shared the award for Best Actor with Shah Rukh for his performance in 12th Fail. Shah Rukh and Rani won the award for their films, Jawan and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. This year marks the first National Award win for Shah Rukh in a career of over 30 years.
Shah Rukh received the award amid loud cheers in the auditorium as he wore a black suit for the occasion. As the ceremony began, Information and Broadcasting Ministry's secretary Sanjay Jaju praised Shah Rukh and said, "And history is made, Shri Shah Rukh Khan ji. The man whose smile has crossed borders, whose dialogues have become our collective vocabulary, received his first National Award. His journey from Delhi theatre to global stardom is a story in itself. ‘Main kaun hu main kya hu (Who am I? What am I?),’ he asked in Jawan. Tonight, the answer is simple. He is not just the National Award winner but he is forever the king of hearts."
Meanwhile, Rani wore a brown sari as she received the award from the president.
Vikrant wore a white suit as he was all smiles posing for a photo as he got the award on the podium.
12th Fail also bagged the award for Best Feature Film. Along with that, Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur won the award for Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values and Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Sanya Malhotra’s Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, won the award for Best Hindi Film. Director, Yashowardhan Mishra received the honour from the president.
The award for Best Direction was received by Sudipto Sen for his film, The Kerala Story. The film also bagged the honour for Best Cinematography which was received by cinematographer, Prasantanu Mohapatra. Writer Deepak Kingrani won the award for Best Dialogue for the film, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.
Sam Bahadur also won two more awards for Best Makeup to artist Shrikant Desai and Best Costume Designer to designers Sachin Lovalekar, Divya Gambhir, Niddhi Gambhir. Music composer Harshvardhan Rameshwar bagged the award for Best Music Direction for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. Singer Shilpa Rao won the award for Best Playback Singer for the song 'Chalyea' from Jawan.