Shah Rukh Khan, affectionately known as the King of Bollywood, has now included one of Indian cinema’s most prestigious accolades among his many achievements at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, as President Droupadi Murmu presented him with the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 2023 blockbuster Jawan. This win held particular significance for SRK. Despite his dominance at the box office and his status as one of India’s most admired actors for over three decades, he had not previously been honoured with a National Award.

 

With his charisma, Shah Rukh Khan, dressed in a smart black Bandhgala, walked onto the stage to accept the National Award. For many years, both fans and critics had wondered about the reason behind him not receiving a National Award. Considering his contributions, he had, after all, given some of the most successful and unforgettable performances in Indian cinema.

The recognition for Jawan, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 2023, has finally filled that void for the superstar. The 71st National Film Awards proved to be a memorable occasion for several reasons. Rani Mukerji also received her first National Award for Best Actress for her powerful performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. This win came nearly three decades after debut in the industry, hence marking a deeply personal achievement. Also, Shah Rukh was not the only recipient on the winners’ stage, as he shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey, who was recognized for his performance in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail.