Padma Bhushan for Mammootty, Padma Shri for Madhavan

The prestigious Padma Awards for 2026 were announced ahead of Republic Day, recognising outstanding contributions across various fields, including Indian cinema.

Padma Vibhushan for Dharmendra

Veteran Hindi film icon Dharmendra has been conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his immense contribution to Indian cinema. Fondly known as the “He-Man” of Bollywood, Dharmendra starred in several landmark films, including the all-time classic “Sholay.”

Padma Bhushan for Mammootty

Malayalam megastar Mammootty will be honoured with the Padma Bhushan. With a career spanning over five decades, Mammootty has acted in hundreds of films across Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, earning acclaim for his versatility and longevity.

Padma Bhushan for Alka Yagnik

Celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Over her illustrious career of more than five decades, she has sung over 20,000 songs in multiple Indian languages and remains one of the most influential voices in Indian film music.

Padma Shri for Madhavan

Actor R. Madhavan, known for films like Sakhi and his recent impactful roles in Bollywood and pan-Indian cinema, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the film industry. He has lately been seen in several socially and patriotically themed films.

From Telugu cinema, senior actors Murali Mohan and Rajendra Prasad have also been honoured with Padma Shri awards this year.