Padma Awards 2026: Honoring Legends of Indian Cinema and Arts
Padma Awards Ceremony Details
On May 25, President Droupadi Murmu will host the inaugural Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present the Padma Awards 2026. This year, the Government of India has announced a total of 131 Padma Awards, which include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honors. Among the distinguished awardees are the late veteran actor Dharmendra, Malayalam film legend Mammootty, and renowned playback singer Alka Yagnik. Established in 1954, the Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honors in India, recognizing outstanding contributions in various fields such as arts, literature, sports, medicine, science, social work, and public affairs.
Notable Recipients of Padma Awards 2026
About Padma Awards 2026 recipients
This year, the late Dharmendra will receive the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. He is celebrated as one of Hindi cinema's most iconic figures, leaving behind a legacy with classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, and Phool Aur Patthar. Additionally, Malayalam cinema superstar Mammootty will be awarded the Padma Bhushan for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. With a career that spans decades, he has delivered remarkable performances in Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi films, previously receiving the Padma Shri in 1998.
Actor R Madhavan will be honored with the Padma Shri for his artistic contributions. Known affectionately as “Maddy,” he has starred in films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, 3 Idiots, and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. He also received a National Award in 2023 for his work in Rocketry. Furthermore, the beloved actor Satish Shah will be posthumously awarded the Padma Shri. Renowned for his comedic talent, he became a household name through shows like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, and FIR, and appeared in popular films such as Main Hoon Na, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Mujhse Shaadi Karoge.
Celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik will receive the Padma Bhushan for her exceptional contributions to Indian music and cinema over the decades. Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee will also be honored with the Padma Shri, recognized as one of the leading figures in Bengali cinema with over 350 films to his credit across a career of five decades. Veteran theatre and film artist Anil Kumar Rastogi will receive the Padma Shri Award for his contributions to theatre, known for his roles in films like Ishaqzaade, Thappad, and Mulk. Additionally, veteran actor and director Arvind Vaidya will be awarded the Padma Shri for his significant impact on Indian theatre and performing arts, currently portraying Hasmukh "Babuji" Shah in Rupali Ganguly's Anupamaa.