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The Communiqué News

Swati Bhat

In a groundbreaking move to elevate women’s voices in cinema, Women in Film (WIF) India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s WAVES Film Bazaar and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), will select six women-led Indian film projects to be showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025.

The initiative, titled #WIFIndiaAtTIFF, reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering women through creativity and entrepreneurship. Led by Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, WIF India is calling for entries from filmmakers across India — each project must feature at least one woman in a key creative role.

“This is not just a delegation, it’s a declaration — Indian women in film are owning the global stage,” said Guneet Monga Kapoor, Founder of WIF India.

Selected filmmakers will gain access to TIFF 2025, mentorship from industry experts, and opportunities to network with international producers, distributors, and festival curators.

Entries are open until August 20, 2025, via the official WIF India website. The chosen six projects will represent India’s diverse storytelling spirit at TIFF 2025, running from September 4–14, 2025, marking a historic moment for women in Indian cinema.






National Film Awards 2025

The 71st National Film Awards honored exceptional contributions to cinema. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey both received the Best Actor award for their performances in Jawan and 12th Fail, respectively. Rani Mukerji was awarded Best Actress for her role in Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway. The awards highlighted a variety of films and talents from India's diverse regional cinema scene.

The National Film Awards represent one of the most esteemed accolades in Indian cinema. Annually presented by the Government of India, these awards celebrate excellence in filmmaking, acknowledging the finest films, performances, and technical accomplishments across a variety of languages and genres. 

Distinguished from other awards, the National Film Awards are renowned for their impartial and merit-based selection process. Eligibility is granted to films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year.

The awards are determined by a jury appointed by the Directorate of Film Festivals and are conferred by the President of India. Receiving a National Film Award is regarded as a significant achievement by both filmmakers and actors.

This article will explore the complete list of National Film Awards 2025 winners, including prominent categories such as Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and more.

Winners of the 71st National Film Awards 2025

The following individuals and films have been recognized as winners at the 71st National Film Awards, as announced by the National Film Awards committee:


Category

Winner(s)

Film(s)

Best Actor

  • Shah Rukh Khan

  • Vikrant Massey

  • Jawan

  • 12th Fail

Best Actress

Rani Mukerji

Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway

Best Supporting Actor

  • Vijayaraghavan

  • Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar

  • Pookkalam

  • Parking

Best Supporting Actress

  • Urvashi

  • Janaki Bodiwala

  • Ullozhukku

  • Vash

Best Feature Film

-

12th Fail

Best Film in Hindi

-

Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery

Best Film in Telugu

-

Bhagavanth Kesari

Best Film in Tamil

-

Parking

Best Film in Punjabi

-

Godday Godday Chaa

Best Film in Odia

-

Pushkara

Best Film in Marathi

-

Shyamchi Aai

Best Film in Malayalam

-

Ullozhukku

Best Film in Kannada

-

Kandeelu: The Ray of Hope

Best Film in Gujarati

-

Vash

Best Film in Bengali

-

Deep Fridge

Best Film in Assamese

-

Rongatapu 1982

Best Direction

Sudipto Sen

The Kerala Story

Best Choreography

Vaibhavi Merchant

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Best Action Direction

Nandu and Prudhvi

Hanu-Man

Best Lyrics

Kasarla Shyam

Balagam

Best Music Direction

G.V. Prakash Kumar (Songs)Harshavardhan Rameshwar (BGM)

VaathiAnimal

Best Male Playback Singer

P.V.N. S. Rohit

Baby

Best Female Playback Singer

Shilpa Rao

Jawan

Best Cinematography

Prasanthanu Mohapatra

The Kerala Story

Best Editing

Midhun Murali

Pookkaalam

Best Sound Design

Sachin Sudhakaran, Hariharan

Animal

Best Production Design

Mohandas

2018 - Everyone is a Hero

Best Make-up

Shrikanth Desai

Sam Bahadur

Best Costume Designer

Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi

Sam Bahadur

Special Mention

M.R. Radhakrishnan

(Re-recording mixer)

Animal





Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 3: Renowned director Imtiaz Ali has revealed his newest project, aligning with the celebration of Friendship Day.


Imtiaz Ali Unveils Friendship Day Film 'Side Heroes' with Star Cast

Varun Sharma, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee


In an official Instagram post, Mahaveer Jain Films released a video featuring the director alongside the lead cast, which includes the energetic Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana, and Varun Sharma. This trio is renowned for their hilarious comedic performances in the 'Stree' and 'Fukrey' series. In the video, Imtiaz Ali seems to be discussing plans for a potential film titled 'Side Heroes' with the actors, showcasing a surprising Bhojpuri accent while speaking to a friend on the phone.

Later in the video, the filmmaker hints at a story about lifelong friends, infused with humor and emotions. "It's time to celebrate friendship! To all the friends on Friendship Day," the creators mentioned in the caption. The film, directed by Ssanjay Tripathy, is penned by Siddharth Sen and Pankaj Matta. Imtiaz Ali will produce the movie alongside Mahaveer Jain, Reeyan M Shah, and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. Providing an update on the project, Varun Sharma expressed his excitement about collaborating with a dream team on a film that he described as "made by friends and for friends."

A team filled with heart and love. With a big smile and immense gratitude, I'm thrilled to be working with this incredible dream team. A film created by friends, for friends everywhere. There's nothing greater than the emotion of friendship. I'm eagerly anticipating the magic to unfold and for the world to witness this wonderfully beautiful script. See you on Friendship Day 2026 in cinemas with "Side Heroes," he wrote on Instagram. Varun also posted behind-the-scenes pictures from the team meeting, capturing everyone in high spirits.

"Side Heroes" is scheduled to begin production this year and is set to be released in theaters on Friendship Day 2026.




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