The 71st National Film Awards ceremony, held on September 23, 2025, in New Delhi, celebrated a significant moment for young Marathi artist Treesha Thosar, who received the Best Child Artist award. President Droupadi Murmu presented the accolade to Thosar for her portrayal of Chimi in the Marathi film 'Naal 2'. This recognition highlights the burgeoning talent within regional Indian cinema.
'Naal 2', directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, also garnered the award for Best Children's Film. Yakkanti, a cinematographer-turned-director, has a previous National Award win for his directorial debut 'Naal' in 2018. The film 'Naal 2' itself was recognized for its focus on childhood innocence and family dynamics.
The prestigious ceremony honored a wide array of cinematic achievements. '12th Fail' was awarded Best Feature Film, while Shah Rukh Khan for 'Jawan' and Vikrant Massey for '12th Fail' shared the Best Actor award. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her performance in 'Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.' Veteran actor Mohanlal was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, for his lifetime contributions.
The 71st National Film Awards underscored the National Film Awards' commitment to recognizing excellence across all aspects of filmmaking. The inclusion of 'Naal 2' and the recognition of young talents like Thosar further emphasize the growing prominence of regional cinema in the national cinematic landscape.