Shah Rukh Khan finally bags National Award after 33 years, calls it a moment of 'validation'

Shah Rukh Khan has finally won a National Film Award his first in a career that has spanned over three decades. At the 71st National Film Awards, Khan was named Best Actor for Jawan, a high-octane action drama that marked his return to the big screen after a brief hiatus. The win marks a long-awaited moment for the actor, who has been critically praised for years but often left out of national honours.

Reacting to the recognition, Khan posted a heartfelt message on Instagram. “Gratitude, pride, namaskar, and adab. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and humility,” he wrote, adding that the award is something he’ll “cherish for a lifetime.” He thanked the jury, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and everyone who found him deserving of the honour.

While Shah Rukh expressed special gratitude to Atlee, the director of Jawan, for trusting him with the role, he also acknowledged his collaborators across the year. “Thank you, Raju sir. Thank you, Saeed. And especially thanks to Atlee sir and his team… Atlee sir, this is, like you say, mass.”

Khan didn’t shy away from calling the honour emotional. He turned the spotlight to his family his wife and children who, he said, have treated him “like the kid in the house” and accepted his intense work schedule with patience. “They know my obsession with cinema takes me away from them, but they all bear it with a smile and allow me the time,” he added.

Despite being one of the most recognisable faces in Indian cinema, Khan has been notably passed over for the National Award in the past including in 2007, when Chak De! India won for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, but he was overlooked for Best Actor, which went to Hrithik Roshan for Dhoom 2.

Now, years later, Jawan has turned the tide. For Shah Rukh, this award is not an endpoint. “The National Award is not just about achievement. It’s a reminder that what I do matters,” he wrote. “To be heard truly heard is a blessing… I promise to use this recognition not as a finish line, but as fuel.”

He ended with a note to his fans: “Thank you for pausing your scrolling while watching my work... just keep the popcorn ready. I’ll be back in theatres soon.”