The Golden Lotus Award is the highest award given at the National Film Awards, which are presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organization under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India.

Devika Rani was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is the highest award in Indian cinema. She was honored with the award in 1969 for her contribution to Indian cinema as an actress and producer.

Awara, a 1951 film directed by Raj Kapoor, won the first Filmfare Award for Best Film. The Filmfare Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema and are presented annually by The Times Group.

Amitabh Bachchan has won the most National Film Awards for Best Actor, with four awards. He won the awards for his performances in the films Agneepath (1990), Black (2005), Paa (2009), and Piku (2015).

Rashomon, a 1950 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa, won the first Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Academy Award. She won the award for Best Costume Design for her work on the film Gandhi (1982).

Pather Panchali, a 1955 Indian film directed by Satyajit Ray, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the festival.

Mira Nair was the first Indian to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. She won the award for her film Monsoon Wedding (2001).

Black, a 2005 Indian film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. The Golden Bear is the highest prize awarded at the festival.

Shah Rukh Khan was the first Indian to win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival. He won the award for his performance in the film My Name Is Khan (2010).

Lagaan, a 2001 Indian film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Golden Globe Awards are presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Anupam Kher was the first Indian to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He won the award for his performance in the film Bend It Like Beckham (2002).

Lagaan, a 2001 Indian film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Critics' Choice Movie Awards are presented annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

Anupam Kher was the first Indian to win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. He won the award for his performance in the film Silver Linings Playbook (2012).

Slumdog Millionaire, a 2008 Indian film directed by Danny Boyle, won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. The Independent Spirit Awards are presented annually by Film Independent, a non-profit organization that supports independent filmmaking.