In the viral pictures, Shah Rukh Khan made a striking entrance at the ceremony, was captured warmly acknowledging Rani Mukerji with a respectful gesture, winning hearts all over again.
Published: September 23, 2025 5:47 PM IST
At the 71st National Film Awards in 2025, one moment stood out above all , a graceful and heartfelt gesture that instantly struck an emotional chord. As Shah Rukh Khan greeted actress Rani Mukerji, seated in the audience, he greeted her with folded hands, exuding warmth, respect, and deep admiration.
SRK’s heartwarming gesture for Rani Mukerji
In the viral pictures, Shah Rukh Khan made a stylish entrance at the ceremony, looking dapper as always. He was seen respectfully greeting Rani Mukerji with folded hands. Rani, on the other hand, turned heads in a stunning metallic brown saree, adding grace to the special moment. Fans flooded social media with praise, calling the moment elegant, graceful, and emotional.
All smiles King #ShahRukhKhan at Vigyan Bhawan for #71NationalAwards ❤️@iamsrk #NationalFilmAwards #NationalFilmAwards2025 #nationalfilmawards2023 #SRK pic.twitter.com/M68YrCgXs9
— Team Shah Rukh Khan Fan Club (@teamsrkfc) September 23, 2025
Social media exploded: fans, critics, and fellow actors celebrated the moment. Many praised Shah Rukh for displaying humility, Rani for her emotional victory, and the awards ceremony for giving them this long‑awaited moment. Filmmaker Karan Johar described it as a “full circle moment,” since he had worked with both actors over the years and noted how this recognition brings a sense of completion to their journey.
More about the 71st National Film Awards
One of the biggest moments of this edition was that Shah Rukh Khan won his first-ever National Film Award for Best Actor for Jawan. He shared this award with Vikrant Massey, who won for his performance in 12th Fail. Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji took home Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway. Another notable winner was 12th Fail, which was named Best Feature Film. Also, the Best Director award went to Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story. This edition also presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, a lifetime achievement award, to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, recognizing many decades of contribution to Indian cinema.
Story Highlights
- Shah Rukh Khan greeted Rani Mukerji with folded hands at the 71st National Film Awards, a moment that went viral for its warmth and grace.
- SRK won his first-ever National Award for Best Actor (Jawan), shared with Vikrant Massey (12th Fail).
- Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, completing a full-circle moment in her career.
- Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement.
The 71st National Film Awards became more than just a celebration of cinematic excellence, it was a celebration of respect, legacy, and emotional milestones. Shah Rukh Khan’s humble gesture towards Rani Mukerji reflected the deep bonds built over decades in the industry.
