The71st National Film Awards, presented by theNational Film Development Corporation of India, were announced on 1 August 2025 by theMinistry of Information and Broadcasting in a press conference to honour the best ofIndian cinema in 2023.^[1][2][3] There were 332 entries in the feature film category, 115 in non-feature films, 27 books, and 16 critics’ submissions.^[4] The winners along with theDadasaheb Phalke Award recipient were felicitated by thePresident,Droupadi Murmu on 23 September 2025 at theVigyan Bhawan,New Delhi.^[5]

TheNational Film Development Corporation of India invited online entries with the acceptable last date for entries until 18 September 2024.^[6][7] Feature and Non-Feature Films certified byCentral Board of Film Certification between 1 January 2023, and 31 December 2023, were eligible for the film award categories. Books, critical studies, reviews or articles on cinema published in Indian newspapers, magazines, and journals between 1 January 2023, and 31 December 2023, were eligible for the best writing on cinema section. Entries of dubbed, revised or copied versions of a film or translation, abridgements, edited or annotated works and reprints were ineligible for the awards.^[8]

For the feature and non-feature Films sections, films in any Indian language, shot on16 mm,35 mm, a wider film gauge or adigital format, and released in cinemas, on video or digital formats for home viewing were eligible. Films were required to be certified as a feature film, documentary, short film, or animation film, by the Central Board of Film Certification.^[9]

Introduced in 1969, theDadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema given to recognise the contributions of film personalities towards the development of Indian cinema and for distinguished contributions to the medium, its growth and promotion. The recipient is awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award' (Swarna Kamal), cash prize of₹10 lakh (US$12,000), medallion and a shawl. The 2023 recipient isMohanlal.^[10][11]

A committee consisting three personalities from the Indian film industry was appointed to evaluate the award. Following were the jury members:^[12]

• Jury Members

Award	Image	Awardee(s)	Awarded As	Cash prize
Dadasaheb Phalke Award		Mohanlal	Actor	Swarna Kamal,₹10 lakh (US$12,000), medallion and a shawl

For the Feature Film section, six committees were formed based on the different geographic regions in India. The two-tier evaluation process included a central committee and five regional committees. The central committee, headed by the directorAshutosh Gowariker, included the heads of each regional committee and five other jury members. At regional level, each committee consisted of one chief and four members. The chief and one non-chief member of each regional committee were selected from outside that geographic region. The table below names the jury members for the central and regional committees:

Central Jury

Northern Region:(Bhojpuri, Dogri, English, Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Urdu)

Eastern Region:(Assamese, Bengali, Odia and North-Eastern languages)

Western Region:(Gujarati, Konkani, Marathi)

Southern Region I:(Malayalam, Tamil)

Southern Region II:(Kannada, Telugu)

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

All the awardees are awarded with Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal), a certificate and cash prize.

All the awardees are awarded with a certificate.

Non-feature length films made in any Indian language and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary, short film, animation film etc are eligible for non-feature film section.

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with 'Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal)', a certificate and cash prize.

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal) and cash prize.

All the awardees are awarded with a certificate.

The awards aim at encouraging study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles, reviews etc.

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

All the awardees are awarded with the Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal) accompanied with a cash prize.

Shortly afterThe Kerala Story received theBest Director andBest Cinematography awards, the decision drew significant criticism.^[14] Kerala's Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan condemned the decision as a "grave insult" to the state, accusing the film of spreading "misinformation" and legitimizing a "divisive ideology," while Opposition LeaderV. D. Satheesan alleged that the awards were being used to further a political "hate campaign".^[15][16] State ministersSaji Cherian,K. N. Balagopal,V. Sivankutty, andP. A. Mohammed Riyas similarly described the decision as an attempt to malign Kerala.^[17][18][19] Congress MPK. C. Venugopal criticised the decision, calling the film undeserving and accusing it of promoting a "rotten agenda".^[20] Jury memberPradeep Nair also dissented, calling the film "propaganda," and several media outlets noted that the awards were conferred despite longstanding allegations of exaggerated and fictionalized depictions of conversions and ISIS recruitment in Kerala.^{[21][22][23][24]} TheFilm and Television Institute of India (FTII) Student’s Association condemned the decision, denouncing the film as "majoritarian propaganda with a hate‑filled agenda disguised as cinema".^[25] Veteran actressRanjini criticised the decision, calling it a "fabricated story" and remarked that honouring it "tarnishes" the sanctity of the awards.^[26] Similarly, actressFara Shibla also criticised the decision, accusing the film of "misrepresenting" Kerala’s culture.^[27] In response, jury chairperson and filmmakerAshutosh Gowariker defended the decision, stating the film addressed a "difficult topic" with "clarity" and demonstrated strong visual execution.^[28][29]

ActressUrvashi, who received theBest Supporting Actress award for her performance in Malayalam filmUllozhukku, expressed dissatisfaction, stating she believed her role qualified for theBest Actress category and called for greater transparency in the jury’s selection process.^[30][31]

• Official press release

• National Film Awards (India) ceremonies
• 2025 awards in India
• 2023 Indian film awards
• 2023 awards in India

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