One of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, the Padma Awards of 2019 saw a new list of film celebrities entering the hallowed group.

Bhupen Hazarika, noted singer, lyricist, musician and filmmaker receives India's highest civilian honour of Bharat Ratna.

Veteran actor Mohanlal has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, for distinguished service of a high order in the field of Art-Acting-Film.

Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, singer Shankar Mahadevan, actor Kader Khan, who recently passed away, A Sivamani aka Drums Sivamani, actor-director Prabhudheva, and lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry all have been awarded the Padma Shri for distinguished service in the field of Art - Films/Music/Dance/Lyrics.

Interestingly, former ISRO official Nambi Narayanan, whose biopic will mark Madhavan's directorial debut (with the actor also playing the role of the scientist), also received a Padma Bhushan.