Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan clinched his first-ever National Film Award for his powerful performance in Jawan at the 71st National Film Awards, held today in New Delhi . In a rare tie, Vikrant Massey was also awarded Best Actor for his critically acclaimed role in 12th Fail .

The winners were announced during a press briefing at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, where the jury, chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker, unveiled the top honours for films certified in 2023 . 12th Fail was also named Best Feature Film, while Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.

Fans and social media erupted in celebration, with one user exclaiming, “This is huge! Shah Rukh finally receiving his first National Award,” and another adding, “So so happy. Both SRK and Vikrant deserve it.” This milestone marks a significant moment for both actors, elevating their standing in Indian cinema .

Directed by Atlee, Jawan features Shah Rukh in a dual role and includes an ensemble cast with Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, and Ridhi Dogra . 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and based on Anurag Pathak’s book, tells the inspiring story of Manoj Kumar Sharma’s journey from poverty to becoming an IPS officer, with strong support from his wife Shraddha Joshi.