Four-year-old, Treesha Vivek Thosar won the Best Child Artist award at the 71st National Film Awards for her performance in the Marathi film Naal 2. This makes her the youngest recipient of the prestigious award.
At just four years of age, Treesha Vivek Thosar has etched her name into the hallowed halls of Indian cinema by becoming the youngest ever recipient of the Best Child Artist award at the 71st National Film Awards. Her luminous screen presence and raw expressiveness have earned her this distinguished honour, a feat that many would spend years chasing.
A Performance to Remember
Treesha’s award came for her performance in the Marathi film Naal 2, directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti and produced by Nagraj Manjule. A sequel to the critically acclaimed Naal (2018), the film carries forward themes of identity, family, and the emotional bonds that shape childhood.
In Naal 2, Treesha plays Chimi (Revati), a little girl whose innocence and curiosity bring a fresh layer of warmth to the film. Despite being barely three years old during shooting, she astonished audiences and critics alike. Her natural expressions, spontaneous reactions, and ability to hold her own in emotional sequences made her the soul of the story.
The film itself was celebrated for its sensitive storytelling and went on to win the Best Children’s Film award, with Treesha and her young co-stars Shrinivas Pokale and Bhargav Jagtap jointly receiving the Best Child Artist honour.
Reactions Pour In
When Treesha’s name was announced at the ceremony, the auditorium erupted in applause. Her shy smile, folded hands, and playful presence on stage received as much attention as the biggest stars in the hall. Videos of the moment quickly went viral, cementing her as the face of the 71st edition of the awards.
Treesha, at the age of 4, becomes the Youngest ever National Award winner for Best Child Artist, whereas Kamal Haasan, at the age of 6, previously one of the youngest recipients, won the President’s Gold Medal for his performance in Kalathur Kannamma (1960). Ramesh Aravind & Baby Rani are other celebrated child winners in earlier decades, but none as young as Treesha.
Even Kamal Haasan congratulated Treesha, saying with a smile: “You’ve broken my record and done it with such charm!”
A Legacy of Prestige
The National Film Awards are among India’s most prestigious cinematic honours, administered by the Government of India and awarded annually. Instituted in 1954, they recognize excellence across all Indian languages and genres. Unlike commercial awards, these are not popularity contests but celebrations of artistic merit, storytelling craft, technical brilliance, and cultural impact.
Winners are chosen by a jury of eminent filmmakers, artists, and critics. The awards are typically announced in a press conference and presented at a grand ceremony, often by the President of India. For any artist, this recognition stands as a career-defining milestone, marking them as part of India’s finest cinematic storytellers.
Winners in 2025
In 2025, the 71st National Film Awards showcased the finest in Indian cinema, celebrating films released in 2023. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the honor of Best Actor for their performances in Jawan and 12th Fail, respectively, with the win marking Khan’s first National Award in his illustrious career. Rani Mukerji was named Best Actress for her moving role in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The coveted Best Feature Film title went to 12th Fail, while the legendary Mohanlal received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest cinematic honor, for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
For Treesha, the award is not just a recognition but a symbol of boundless possibilities. Whether she continues in cinema or chooses other dreams later in life, her name will always shine as the four-year-old who rewrote the history books of Indian cinema.
For now, she remains what she is, a child full of wonder, playfulness, and joy. And yet, with Naal 2, she has also become a timeless reminder that art belongs to the fearless, no matter how small their footsteps may be.
