Sanya Malhotra Humbled by Unexpected National Award Triumphs in ‘Jawan’, ‘Kathal’ and ‘Sam Bahadur

After a grueling year of intense shoots and airport hops, the actress reflects on decade-long dedication paying off with top honours across three standout films

Bollywood actress Sanya Malhotra recently expressed her heartfelt gratitude after receiving major recognition at the National Film Awards 2025. Her performances across three films—Jawan, Kathal, and Sam Bahadur—earned her a wave of honours that she admits came as a complete surprise.

The actress recalled how 2023 was one of the toughest years of her career. Between juggling Jawan, Kathal, Mrs., and Sam Bahadur, she found herself living out of airports, constantly moving from one shoot to another. With such a demanding schedule, Malhotra says she never once paused to think about awards, let alone the National Awards.

Her hard work, however, spoke for itself. Kathal went on to win the National Award for Best Hindi Feature Film, while Jawan brought home the Best Actor Award for Shah Rukh Khan, with Sanya’s role earning widespread praise. Meanwhile, Sam Bahadur stood tall with honours for Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, and Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values.

Sanya remained humble in her response, saying that she has always believed in focusing on her work without expecting rewards. After nearly a decade in the industry, she feels this recognition is extra special, validating the quiet perseverance that has defined her journey.

Looking ahead, Malhotra is set to appear in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and Bandar, the latter scheduled for a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025. She is also gearing up for an international action-comedy project later this year, signaling another busy chapter in her flourishing career.