At a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards to several eminent personalities from the entertainment world, along with distinguished figures from other fields.
Among the highlights:
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Ajith Kumar received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema.
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Nandamuri Balakrishna was also honored with the Padma Bhushan for his significant impact on Telugu cinema and public life.
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The late Pankaj Udhas, celebrated for his soulful ghazals, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan.
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Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for internationally acclaimed films like Elizabeth, was conferred the Padma Bhushan.
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Anant Nag, a prominent figure in Kannada and Indian cinema, was awarded the Padma Bhushan as well.
Several Padma Shri awards were also presented to figures from music, acting, and theatre:
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Veteran actor Ashok Laxman Saraf, known for his work in Marathi and Hindi cinema, received the Padma Shri.
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Acting coach and theatre director Barry John, who has mentored many Bollywood stars, was honored with the Padma Shri.
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Celebrated singer Jaspinder Narula received the Padma Shri.
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Hindustani classical vocalist Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande was conferred the Padma Shri.
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Grammy Award-winning music composer Ricky Kej (listed as Ricky Gyan Kej) was awarded the Padma Shri.
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Folk singer Bheru Singh Chouhan, devotional singer Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale, folk musician Joynacharan Bathari, classical singer K Omanakutty Amma, and singer Mahabir Nayak were all recipients of the Padma Shri.
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Noted dancer and actor Mamata Shankar, famous for her contributions to Bengali cinema and Indian classical dance, was also honored with the Padma Shri.
The Padma Awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri — are among India's highest civilian honors and recognize individuals for distinguished service across various fields. Announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, these awards celebrate outstanding achievements in public affairs, arts, science, literature, medicine, sports, and more.
