Padma Awards 2026: Some of the most beloved names in Indian entertainment will walk into Rashtrapati Bhavan today carrying decades of memories, performances and music that generations of fans have grown up with. President Droupadi Murmu will be conferring the Padma Awards at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony on May 25 in New Delhi. The Government of India has announced 131 honours this year across categories, with five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards being given out to recipients from varied fields. The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony marks another prestigious moment of national recognition.
Padma Awards 2026: Entertainment Fraternity Takes Centre Stage
The Padma Awards have been around since 1954 and are counted among the highest civilian honours in the country. They recognise exceptional work across arts, literature, sports, science, medicine, social work and public affairs. The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony highlights India’s respect for cultural and artistic excellence.
This year, the late Dharmendra will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. For millions of Indians, he was not just an actor but a phenomenon. From Sholay to Chupke Chupke and Phool Aur Patthar, his legacy remains unforgettable, making him one of the key highlights of the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony.
Mammootty, one of Malayalam cinema’s most enduring superstars, will receive the Padma Bhushan. He has worked across Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films and had earlier received the Padma Shri in 1998. His recognition further elevates the prestige of the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony.
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Joining him at the Padma Bhushan level is Alka Yagnik, whose voice has defined countless Hindi film songs and remains one of the most iconic in Indian music history.
Other Honourees From Entertainment World
Actor R Madhavan, loved for films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein and 3 Idiots, will receive the Padma Shri. His acclaimed film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect had already earned him a National Award in 2023, adding further significance to his recognition at the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony.
The late Satish Shah will also be honoured posthumously with the Padma Shri. Known for iconic roles in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, FIR, Main Hoon Na and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, his contribution remains deeply respected.
Veteran Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, with over 350 films to his credit, will also receive the Padma Shri. Theatre and film actor Anil Kumar Rastogi, known for Ishaqzaade, Thappad and Mulk, along with his academic contributions, is also among the honourees.
Veteran theatre and television actor Arvind Vaidya, best known as Hasmukh “Babuji” Shah in Anupamaa, completes the list of entertainment recipients.
The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony stands as a celebration of artistic excellence, honouring legends whose work has shaped Indian cinema, music and theatre for generations.