At the 71st National Film Awards, announced on August 1, 2025, in New Delhi, the coveted Best Actress in a Leading Role award went to Rani Mukerji for her compelling performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. This marks her first-ever National Film Award and a landmark moment in her celebrated career spanning over two decades .
Rani Mukerji – Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway
In the film, Mukerji portrays Sagarika Chakraborty, an Indian mother who takes on the Norwegian child-welfare system after her children are erroneously taken from her. Her performance has been hailed as emotionally raw, resolute, and deeply human—earning praise for both authenticity and emotional weight .
Importance of National Film Award Best Actress
The National Film Award for Best Actress was introduced alongside its male counterpart in the 1967 awards and has since been one of Indian cinema’s most prestigious acting honours . It recognises performances across Indian languages—including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, and English—highlighting the country’s multilingual excellence.
Legendary multiple-time winners include Shabana Azmi, Sridevi, Meena Kumari, Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, and Urvashi among others—cementing the award’s role as a benchmark for acting excellence.
Who win Best Actress National Film Award?
First National Award for Rani Mukerji
Despite her iconic roles in films like Black, Saaya, and Mardaani 2, Rani had never received a National Award. Her win for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway is both long overdue and symbolic—a nod to her evolution as a performer and the strength of female-led storytelling in Indian cinema .
A Story with Social Relevance
The film’s narrative tackles issues of cultural misunderstandings, immigration, and institutional bias. Mukerji’s journey in the film—an emotional tug-of-war—resonated with both the jury and audiences, reinforcing the fact that socially relevant storytelling continues to make its mark .
Complementary to the Best Actor Tie
Rani shares the spotlight with co-winners Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey, who jointly won Best Actor for Jawan and 12th Fail respectively. Together, these recognitions reflect a balanced appreciation for both superstar charisma and grounded realism in 2025 cinema
National Film Award Winners
| Category | Winner(s) | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actress (Leading Role) | Rani Mukerji | Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway |
| Best Actor (Leading Role) | Shah Rukh Khan, Vikrant Massey | Jawan, 12th Fail |
| Supporting Actress | Urvashi (Ullazhukku*), Janki Bodiwala (Vash) | |
| Supporting Actor | Vijayaraghavan (Pookkalam*), Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar (Parking) |
Other notable awards that year included:
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Hindi Feature Film: Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery
- Best Direction: The Kerala Story by Sudipto Sen
Legacy & Reflection
Rani Mukerji’s win underscores a few key takeaways:
- Recognition for Veteran Talent: After decades in the industry, this award cements Mukerji’s legacy and reflects her versatility and growth as an artist.
- Impact of Women’s Stories: Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway highlights how women-centric narratives—especially those exploring real-life injustices—can elevate performance to national recognition.
- Shift Toward Substance: Alongside Massey and Rani, the National Awards in 2025 highlighted both star-led prestige (Jawan) and nuanced, content-driven cinema (12th Fail), signalling an era that honours both glamour and grit.
The 71st National Film Awards spotlighted a blend of cinematic talent and storytelling that encompassed star power, emotional depth, and social relevance. At the heart of it, Rani Mukerji’s Best Actress win for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway stands as a powerful reminder of the role cinema plays in reflecting social realities—and the power of performance in shaping empathy and awareness.
Looking ahead, the Best Actress laureate remains one of the most fought-after honors in Indian cinema—onewhere legacy meets new perspectives, and artistry meets impact