"It’s a result of your years of hard work and dedication."
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has won his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his acclaimed performance in Jawan, marking a landmark achievement in his storied career.
The actor received the honour at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in Delhi, where his presence drew loud applause from fans and peers celebrating the long-awaited recognition.
While Shah Rukh has often been hailed as the King of Bollywood, this prestigious award finally places him among India’s National Award-winning actors, a title that had eluded him for decades.
The recognition comes for his role in Jawan, a 2023 political action film co-written and directed by Atlee, marking the Tamil filmmaker’s Hindi cinema debut.
Produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma under Red Chillies Entertainment, the blockbuster starred Shah Rukh in a dual role as both a father and his son.
The film followed Azad, a woman’s prison jailer who turns vigilante, leading a group of inmates to expose corruption and demand justice across India.
Alongside Shah Rukh, Jawan featured Nayanthara in her Hindi film debut and Vijay Sethupathi as the antagonist, with supporting roles from Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra and Deepika Padukone.
Its soundtrack, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, included the viral hit ‘Chaleya,’ sung by Shilpa Rao, who also won a National Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Principal photography began in 2021 with filming across India in locations such as Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Rajasthan, showcasing the film’s ambitious scale.
Released on September 7, 2023, in IMAX, 4DX and premium formats, the film coincided with Janmashtami and was met with critical and commercial success.
Jawan smashed multiple box-office records, surpassing Shah Rukh’s earlier 2023 release Pathaan, and went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year.
It emerged as the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film, cementing Shah Rukh’s continued dominance in global cinema.
At the 69th Filmfare Awards, Jawan received 14 nominations, including Best Film and Best Director, further highlighting its extraordinary impact on audiences and critics alike.
The National Award win, therefore, carried added weight, symbolising not just Shah Rukh’s powerful performance but also the film’s wider cultural and cinematic influence.
Among the outpouring of tributes was a touching post from his wife, Gauri Khan, who shared a photo of Shah Rukh proudly holding the award on Instagram.
She wrote:
“What a journey it’s been @iamsrk. Congratulations on winning the National Award!!! So deserving…”
“It’s a result of your years of hard work and dedication.”
Gauri also revealed she is designing a special mantle for the award, reflecting her pride and the family’s joy at this long-overdue recognition.
The ceremony also saw Rani Mukerji win Best Actress for her role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, a performance widely praised for its emotional intensity.
Vikrant Massey was recognised for 12th Fail, a critically acclaimed drama that resonated with audiences for its honest portrayal of struggle and perseverance against the odds.
Across his three-decade career, Shah Rukh has collected 14 Filmfare Awards and honours such as the Padma Shri, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Légion d’honneur.
Yet the National Award remained absent from his list until now, making this moment particularly significant for the actor and the millions who have supported his journey.
For fans worldwide, the win represents overdue validation of Shah Rukh’s legacy as an actor who has redefined Indian cinema while inspiring generations across borders.
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