New Delhi: The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan witnessed an emotional tribute to veteran actor Dharmendra as his wife and actor-politician Hema Malini received a posthumous civilian honor on his behalf on Sunday.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma awards in the presence of senior government officials, dignitaries and families of awardees. The ceremony honored personalities from cinema, music, arts, literature and public service for their contributions to the country.
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Hema Malini Receives Dharmendra’s Honor
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when Hema Malini walked to the stage to accept the posthumous Padma honor awarded to late superstar Dharmendra. The audience applauded as the legendary actor was remembered for his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema.
Visuals from the ceremony also showed Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s daughter Ahana Deol becoming emotional during the presentation. Dharmendra, regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic actors, was honored posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to Indian films.
Several Film Personalities Honored
The Padma Awards ceremony also recognized several prominent names from the entertainment industry. Veteran Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee received the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. Actor R Madhavan, Malayalam superstar Mammootty and singer Alka Yagnik were among the noted personalities honored during the event.
Advertising veteran Piyush Pandey was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan. His wife Nita Pandey accepted the honor on his behalf. Actor Satish Shah was also among those recognized posthumously at the ceremony.
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Celebration of Excellence Across Fields
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors and are presented annually in three categories- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The awards recognize exceptional contributions across various disciplines, including art, literature, education, social work, medicine, science, sports and public affairs.
This year’s ceremony drew attention not only for the celebrated awardees but also for several emotional family moments that resonated strongly with audiences across the country.
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