Filmmaker Karan Johar has extended heartfelt congratulations to his longtime collaborators and friends Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji after their wins at the 71st National Film Awards. Calling it a “full circle moment,” Johar celebrated their recognition in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories, respectively.
Shah Rukh Khan received the Best Actor award for his performance in Jawan, while Rani Mukerji was named Best Actress for her role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The awards ceremony took place on Friday.
Johar shared his tribute via Instagram on Saturday, posting posters of both films along with a throwback photo featuring himself with the two actors. In an emotional note, the filmmaker reflected on his decades-long journey with the stars, beginning with his 1998 directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
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“Taking a pause in our celebrations to celebrate my friends for their cinema,” Johar wrote. “@iamsrk bhai... this has been 33 years in the making and I can’t help but beam with pride. Redefining Indian cinema with every role you take on... Jawan and all your other films are only a testament to what an exceptional actor you are.”
Praising Khan further, he added: “There is no one like you, congratulations bhai… you deserve this and more. And like you say… ‘picture abhi baaki hai mere dost’.”
In his tribute to Rani Mukerji, Johar described her as “truly the queen of every screen she is in.”
“Your performance hit everyone like a punch in the gut, making everyone feel every last feeling with you... you have always been the best at it,” he wrote, adding congratulations to production house Emmay Entertainment and its producers Nikkhil Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Monisha Advani for backing Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
Karan Johar also noted a personal milestone: his first National Award, won in 1998 for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment), also featured Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. The trio's reunion in the winner’s circle this year, he said, marked a symbolic “full circle” in his cinematic journey.
The 2025 edition of the National Awards also saw Johar win again in the same category for his recent film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which starred Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.
Jawan, directed by Atlee Kumar, featured Shah Rukh Khan in dual roles as Army officer Vikram Rathore and his son Azad, a jailer. The film also starred Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi and grossed over ₹1,000 crore worldwide.
Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, directed by Ashima Chibber, featured Rani Mukerji as Debika Chatterjee, an Indian mother battling the Norwegian child welfare system for custody of her children. The film also starred Jim Sarbh and was released in March 2023.
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