Actor Vikram has been adjudged best actor for his role in Pithamagan, while Malayalam actress Meera Jasmine won the best actress award for her role in Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam. Bollywood star of yesteryear Sharmila Tagore bagged the best supporting actress award for her role in Abar Aranye.

Actor Shaam's Iyyarkai, directed by S P Jananathan was adjudged the best Tamil film in the regional language category. Veteran Bengali film maker Gautam Ghose won the best director and screenplay award for his Abar Aranye, while Marathi film Shwaas was adjudged the best feature film in the 51st National film Awards 2003. Popular Hindi film Munnabhai MBBS got the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment, even as Koi Mil Gaya grabbed three awards including one for the best film on social issues. Pinjar portraying partition bagged the Nargis Dutt award for best film on national integration, with actor Manoj Bajpai getting a special jury award for his role as Rashid in the film.

Child actor Arun Chitale, who gave a touching performance as a child about to lose his vision in Shwaas walked away with the honors in the category along with Kalidasan in Malayalam film Ente Veedu Appoontem. Bengali film Chokher Bali, which was in strong contention for the best film, walked away with three awards including the best feature film in Bengali, Best Art Direction and Best Costume designs.

Hindi singer Sonu Nigam got the best male playback singer award for the title song in Kal Ho Na Ho, which also bagged the best music direction award for Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy and choreographer Farah Khan was adjudged best for her dance in the song Main idhar chala, main udhar chala in Koi Mil Gaya, that also won the award in the best special effects category.