National Awards Prize Money: Here's How Much Shah Rukh Khan to Mohanlal Take Home

The glitz of the 71st National Film Awards at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan wasn't just about the golden trophies and red-carpet glamour - it was also about the prize money that comes with India's most prestigious film honours.

While President Droupadi Murmu handed out the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) medals, winners also walked away with lakhs in cash prizes, courtesy of the Government of India.

For the acting honours, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Vikrant Massey each received the Rajat Kamal along with ₹2 lakh in prize money. It's a landmark first National Award for all three - Khan for Jawan, Massey for 12th Fail, and Rani for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.

But the biggest payday of the evening went to Mohanlal, who was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Along with the medallion and a shawl, the Malayalam superstar will receive a whopping ₹10 lakh cash prize, making him the single highest-earning awardee this year.

The production houses and directors didn't walk away empty-handed either:

• 12th Fail, declared Best Feature Film, brought its producer VC Films LLP and director Vidhu Vinod Chopra the Swarna Kamal and ₹3 lakh each.
• Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, earned Dharma Productions and Johar ₹3 lakh each.
• The Kerala Story won Best Director for Sudipto Sen, who also pockets ₹3 lakh.
• Marathi filmmaker Ashish Bende, recognised for Best Debut Film of a Director with Aatmapamphlet, also receives ₹3 lakh along with the Swarna Kamal.

Beyond the numbers, the evening carried historic weight. For Shah Rukh Khan, it was his first National Award in a three-decade career - and he accepted it in his trademark style, dressed in a black bandhgala, shades, and an ear cuff. Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji and Vikrant Massey joined him in making their own career-first milestones.

In the bigger picture, the National Film Awards continue to balance art with reward. While the shiny medallions carry immense prestige, the cash prizes - ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh - make the recognition all the more tangible for the winners.