Padma Awards 2026: Hema Malini Receives Padma Vibhushan On Behalf of Late Dharmendra

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan highlights some of India’s most respected achievers. President Droupadi Murmu is presenting honours to personalities from cinema, music, folk arts and public service. Posthumous awards for Dharmendra and Piyush Pandey, along with recognition for Mammootty and Alka Yagnik, underline how the list spans generations and diverse creative fields across the country.

This year, Dharmendra receives the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, while Mammootty and Alka Yagnik are named for the Padma Bhushan. The Padma Shri list includes Prosenjit Chatterjee, R Madhavan, late Satish Shah, Arvind Vaidya, Bharat Singh Bharti and tabla maestro Pandit Kumar Bose. The event reflects how mainstream cinema, regional films and classical and folk traditions all feature prominently.

Padma Awards 2026 recognise Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s emotional moment

Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan is among the most closely watched honours at the Padma Awards 2026. The veteran actor is recognised for a lifetime in Indian cinema after decades on screen. Since Dharmendra is no longer alive, Hema Malini steps forward to receive the award. The moment becomes deeply personal for the family present in the Durbar-style hall.

Ahana Deol attends the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan with spouse Vaibhav Vora. Ahana Deol is seen in tears as Hema Malini accepts the Padma Vibhushan on Dharmendra’s behalf. Earlier, Hema Malini described the recognition as both proud and painful. Hema Malini said the award is a huge honour but also a reminder that Dharmendra is not there to hold it himself.

Padma Awards 2026 celebrate cinema, music and folk arts

Alongside Dharmendra, Malayalam star Mammootty receives the Padma Bhushan at the Padma Awards 2026. The honour recognises work across decades in Malayalam cinema and beyond. Playback singer Alka Yagnik also receives the Padma Bhushan, marking years of popular songs in Hindi films. These awards underline how Indian popular culture continues to dominate the civilian honours list.

Mammootty’s Padma Bhushan sparks celebrations on the sets of the film Padayaatra even before the ceremony. Director Adoor Gopalakrishnan felicitates Mammootty on location with a bouquet. Adoor Gopalakrishnan also drapes a shawl over Mammootty’s shoulders in a traditional gesture. The crew cuts a cake, with actors Grace Antony and Indrans, both part of the film, sharing the moment.

Padma Awards 2026 honour classical maestros and regional talent

Classical music also has a major presence at the Padma Awards 2026. Violinist Dr N Rajam from Uttar Pradesh receives the Padma Vibhushan for contributions to Hindustani classical music. Tabla maestro Pandit Kumar Bose is conferred the Padma Shri. Kumar Bose is known as a leading exponent of the Benares gharana and for composing within the Hindustani classical tradition.

The Padma Awards 2026 list further highlights regional and folk performers. Bharat Singh Bharti, a folk singer from Bihar, receives the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu. Veteran actor and theatre figure Arvind Vaidya is also honoured with the Padma Shri, underlining recognition for stage as well as screen. These awards bring long careers in local culture into the national spotlight.

From the film industry, Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee receives the Padma Shri for decades of work in Bengali cinema. Actor R Madhavan is also named a Padma Shri awardee. Earlier, R Madhavan said the recognition felt deeply emotional and humbling, reflecting gratitude across multiple film industries. Late actor Satish Shah joins the Padma Shri list posthumously for contributions to Indian cinema and television.

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony takes place at the Ganatantra Mandap within Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu arrives to lead Civil Investiture Ceremony-I, which starts at 5:00 pm. The event is streamed live on Akashvani AIR’s YouTube channel. For 2026, the government approves 131 Padma awards in total, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours.