The National Film Awards 2025 — one of India’s most prestigious honours in cinema — brought immense excitement, speculation, and star-studded discussions long before the official winners were announced. Every year, film enthusiasts, critics and audiences eagerly predict who will win in major categories like Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and much more. While the final winners are now out, looking at the expected list and predicted nominees gives insight into what made 2025 one of the most competitive years for Indian cinema.
The 71st National Film Awards were announced in August 2025, celebrating the top films certified in 2023. These awards honour excellence across not only Hindi cinema but also regional films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese and more — reflecting the diversity and depth of Indian filmmaking. They were presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, highlighting the significance and national standing of this platform.
🎥 Expected Contenders — Best Feature Film
Before the winners were revealed, films like 12th Fail, Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, Sam Bahadur, Animal and The Kerala Story were among the buzzed-about titles expected to feature strongly in the Best Feature Film category. These films combined critical acclaim with social relevance or box-office impact, making them favorites in prediction discussions. For example, 12th Fail had been widely praised for its inspiring narrative and audience response.
Ultimately, Best Feature Film went to 12th Fail, a film that exceeded expectations with its compelling story and strong viewer approval — a predicted favourite turned official winner.
👑 Best Actor & Best Actress – Anticipated Names
The Best Actor category always generates heated predictions, often including veteran performers and breakthrough names alike. In 2025, big names such as Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey, and several acclaimed actors from regional cinema were strong contenders in online prediction lists and fan discussions alike. Many expected Shah Rukh Khan to be in the mix for his powerful performance in Jawan, while Vikrant Massey was frequently mentioned for his leading role in 12th Fail.
In the end, Best Actor was shared by Shah Rukh Khan (for Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (for 12th Fail), a result that matched the excitement and expectations of audiences nationwide.
For Best Actress, legendary performers and rising stars were predicted to shine. Expectations included names like Rani Mukerji, whose heartfelt role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway made her a fan favorite. True to predictions, Rani Mukerji won Best Actress, marking a memorable moment in her illustrious career.
🎬 Best Director & Other Major Categories
Director predictions tend to focus on both commercial and critically acclaimed films. Expectation buzz often centered around directors such as Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story), Vidhu Vinod Chopra (12th Fail) and others whose storytelling and cinematic vision stood out. In 2025, Best Director went to Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story, affirming the film’s impactful narrative and execution. National Film Awards India
Other anticipated winners in technical and specialized categories included cinematography, screenplay, music direction, and regional film excellence. Films like Animal, Parking, Sam Bahadur and Hanu-Man were mentioned for strong technical achievement, and many of these expectations were indeed validated in final results. ThePrint
🌍 Regional Cinema in the Spotlight
Even before the awards, regional cinema was expected to shine — and it did. Malayalam films like Ullozhukku, Tamil films like Parking, Telugu films such as Bhagavanth Kesari, Kannada entries like Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope, and Marathi and Odia films Shyamchi Aai and Pushkara were all strong regional contenders. The National Awards continued to recognize excellence across languages, reflecting India’s rich cinematic diversity.
🏆 Final Thoughts
The National Awards 2025 not only confirmed many fan predictions but also offered a few surprises — such as the multiple wins in various acting and technical categories, and the shared Best Actor honour. From 12th Fail winning Best Feature Film to Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji taking home top acting awards, the results highlighted a blend of mainstream success and artistic merit.
In summary, while prediction lists varied widely before the official announcement, the final winners largely reflected the critical and popular conversations of the year. Indian cinema in 2025 proved strong not just in Bollywood but across linguistic lines, showcasing storytelling that resonates with audiences nationwide.