India’s prestigious Padma Awards 2026 will honour several well known personalities from the entertainment industry this weekend in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25.
This year, the Government of India has announced 131 Padma honours, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, are among the country’s highest civilian honours. They are given to individuals for exceptional work in fields such as arts, literature, sports, science, medicine, public affairs and social work.
Among the biggest names being honoured this year are veteran actor Dharmendra, Malayalam superstar Mammootty and playback singer Alka Yagnik.
Late Hindi cinema legend Dharmendra will receive the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. The actor is remembered for iconic films such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Phool Aur Patthar. He remains one of the most admired stars in Indian cinema history.
Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty has been selected for the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema. The actor has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films over a career spanning several decades. He had earlier received the Padma Shri in 1998.
Actor R. Madhavan will be honoured with the Padma Shri. Popularly known as “Maddy”, he is known for films such as Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, 3 Idiots and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. He also won a National Award in 2023 for Rocketry.
Late actor Satish Shah will receive the Padma Shri posthumously. Known for his comic timing, Satish Shah became a household name through television shows such as Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and FIR. He also appeared in films including Main Hoon Na, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
Playback singer Alka Yagnik will receive the Padma Bhushan for her contribution to Indian music and cinema over the years.
Bengali cinema star Prosenjit Chatterjee has been selected for the Padma Shri. One of the leading stars of Bengali cinema, he has acted in more than 350 films during a career spanning nearly five decades.
Veteran theatre and film actor Anil Kumar Rastogi will also receive the Padma Shri. Apart from theatre, he is known for films such as Ishaqzaade, Thappad and Mulk. He is also recognised for his contribution to science and academics.
Veteran actor and director Arvind Vaidya is another Padma Shri recipient this year. He has worked in theatre and films for more than six decades and is widely respected for his contribution to performing arts.