Filmmaker breaks down at 71st National Film Awards ceremony as ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’ earns prestigious recognition
Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar couldn’t hold back his emotions as he accepted the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi on September 23, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu presented the honor to Johar for his romantic drama “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani.”
The victory held special meaning for the director, who shared the spotlight with longtime collaborators Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, both of whom also received awards at the same ceremony. Taking to Instagram, an overwhelmed Johar wrote, “So emotional to win in the same year as Rani and Bhai @iamsrk (missed taking a photo with him)… Karan Johar this side and I am fragile today.”
This triumph marks Johar’s remarkable third consecutive National Award, establishing an unprecedented streak that began with “Shershaah” in 2021 and continued with “Brahmastra” in 2022. The filmmaker acknowledged the significance of this achievement, sharing, “This is my third national award in a row. There’s a lot of energy, excitement, and inspiration in my heart right now and a lot of gratitude.”
Johar’s gratitude extended to his production house Dharma Movies and co-producer Apoorva Mehta, whom he credited as his “soul and spine.” The film’s success was further amplified when choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant won Best Choreography for the vibrant number “Dhindhora Baje Re.”
The romantic drama, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, represents a full-circle moment for Johar, whose journey from his debut “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” to this latest recognition demonstrates his lasting influence on Indian cinema. His emotional response at the ceremony highlighted just how deeply this latest honor resonated with the veteran filmmaker.
As Johar continues his winning streak, this latest award cements his position as one of contemporary Bollywood’s most celebrated storytellers, proving that his blend of romance, family drama, and wholesome entertainment continues to strike a chord with both audiences and critics alike.
