The 71st National Film Awards took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 23. It turned out to be a historic evening for Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Vikrant Massey.
Both Shah Rukh and Vikrant won their first-ever National Awards in the Best Actor category, while Rani bagged the Best Actress award. What made the night even more memorable was a warm moment between the three stars inside Vigyan Bhawan.
Shah Rukh wins Best Actor for Jawan
Shah Rukh Khan received the Best Actor award for his performance in Atlee’s blockbuster film Jawan. This was the superstar’s first National Award, a milestone that fans had been waiting for over three decades.
When he received his medal, Shah Rukh decided to wear it around his neck immediately, an act that sparked a special chain reaction among his fellow winners.
Vikrant Massey on Shah Rukh’s Inspiring Gesture
Speaking to ANI, Vikrant Massey recalled how it was Shah Rukh who encouraged everyone to put on their medals.
Vikrant said, “Childlike is the word! It was so inspiring to see Rani ma’am and Shah Rukh sir still maintain that quality after so much success… When Shah Rukh came back and said, ‘Main to yeh award pehen rahaa hu (I am wearing the medal).’ And both of us said, ‘Haan, humein bhi pehenna hai, par pehen lein (Yes, we want to wear it as well. Shall we wear)?’ Then he said, ‘Haan pehente hain. Kyu nahi (Yes, why not)?’ Toh (So) it was a little difficult to put it in… so we are just helping each other and living that moment.”
आप चाहे कितना भी बड़ा सुपरस्टार हो, शाहरुख खान, रानी मुखर्जी, विक्रांत को देखिए National award मिलने पर बच्चों की तरह मासूमियत कर रहे हैं,
कितने प्यार से अवॉर्ड को देख रहे हैं बार-बार फोटो खींच रहे हैं यही मासूमियत जिंदा रहनी चाहिए pic.twitter.com/relT4cln3B
— Ranjan Singh 🇮🇳 (@RanjanSinghh_) September 24, 2025
Vikrant shared the Best Actor award with Shah Rukh for his powerful role in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail.
Rani Mukerji helps Shah Rukh with his medal
While Vikrant and Rani smoothly wore their medals, Shah Rukh struggled a bit to untangle his. That’s when Rani stepped in and helped him put it around his neck.
The heartwarming moment didn’t end there. Rani also switched on her selfie camera and showed Shah Rukh how the medal looked on him. The clip went viral, winning the internet with fans calling it “a moment of pure joy.”
Rani won the Best Actress award for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, where she played a mother battling a foreign system to get her children back.
A night of milestones
The ceremony not only celebrated outstanding performances but also captured the human side of Bollywood’s biggest stars.
Fans hailed the camaraderie between Shah Rukh, Rani, and Vikrant as proof that even after years of stardom, humility and joy still shine through.
