Padma Awards 2026 Phase 1 Highlights: Hema Malini Accepts Padma Vibhushan For Late Dharmendra, Bengali Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee Receives Padma Shri

Actor Dharmendra conferred Padma Vibhushan posthumously by President Droupadi Murmu; his wife Hema Malini receives the award. 

After President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Vibhushan honour for late actor Dharmendra, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to react to the honour. 

 

Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee was conferred with the Padma Shri by the President of India. The actor donned a traditional Bengali outfit for the ceremony. 

 

Indian advertising professional Piyush Pandey was conferred with the Padma Bhushan on May 25 by the President of India. His wife, Neetu Joshi, accepted the honour on his behalf. 

Dharmendra's wife and actress Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan honour on his belaf in New Delhi today. Seated in the audience, the actor's eldest daughter Vijeta Deol could be seen breaking down in tears remembering her late father. 

Actress Hema Malini recieved the Padma Vibhushan honour for her late husband Dharmendra. 

President Droupadi Murmu took the stage at the 66th Padma Awards ceremony 2026. The investiture ceremony will begin shortly. 

 

Out of 131 honourees this year, 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shris will be awarded by President Murmu today. 

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony is being held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the National Capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President of India is Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, and the Minister of Home Affairs of India, Amit Shah, arrived at the ceremony. 

Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini has taken the first row seat at the Padma Awards 2026 investiture in the first half. Dressed in a powder pink saree, the actress will accept the Padma Vibhushan for her late actor husband, Dharmendra. 

 

The first phase of the Padma Awards investiture ceremony will be held today at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This year, 131 personalities from across the fields will be honoured. However, in the first phase today only 66 awardees will be honoured. 

Late actor Dharmendra will be conferred with Padma Vibhushan posthumously today. His wife and actress Hema Malini is expected to receive the honour on his behalf. Malayalam superstar Mammootty and singer Alka Yagnik will also be awarded. The Padma Shri will be awarded to Prosenjit Chatterjee, actor R Madhavan and veteran actor Satish Shah. 

In January earlier this year, actor R Madhavan expressed his "gratitude and humility" upon receiving the Padma Shri, dedicating the honour to his family members, mentors, well-wishers and the public. Taking to his Instagram handle, the actor dedicated his award to his family, acknowledging that their support and belief have been crucial to their success. "I accept the Padma Shri with profound gratitude and humility. This honour, bestowed upon me, is beyond my wildest dreams, and I receive it on behalf of my entire family, whose constant support and faith have been my greatest strength. This recognition is possible only because of the blessings of my mentors, the goodwill of my well-wishers, the love and encouragement of the public, and above all, the grace of the Almighty. Each of them has played an invaluable role in shaping my journey and guiding me toward this moment," wrote R Madhavan.   

The Padma Awards 2026 honourees were announced on January 25, on the eve of Republic Day. Late actor Dharmendra was honoured with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan. At the time of the announcement, his wife, veteran actress Hema Malini, expressed an emotional response to the recognition given to Dharamji.

Soon after the announcement, she took to her X handle and tweeted, "So so proud that the govt has recognised Dharam ji’s immense contribution to the film industry by bestowing on him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award." 

Also Read: So So Proud: Hema Malini Shares Joy As Dharmendra Receives Padma Vibhushan
 

At the 66th year of the Padma Awards, 131 people will be honoured. The President will confer five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. 

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony will be held today, May 5, at the Ganatantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event will take place at 5 pm. The Padma Awards can be streamed live on Akashvani AIR's YouTube channel.

The Padma Awards are conferred in several categories: Art, Medicine, and Social Work, and Science, Literature, and Sports. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

Padma is a Sanskrit word for Lotus, which is the national flower of India. It holds deep symbolic meaning, representing purity, beauty, and celestial grace. 

Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, R Madhavan, late Piyush Pandey, late Dharmendra, late Satish Shah and Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee will be receiving the top civilian honours in the field of entertainment today. 

Also Read: Padma Awards 2026: Dharmendra, Mammootty, Rohit Sharma, Alka Yagnik Among Winners; Check Complete List