Karan Johar, Kangana Ranaut, Ekta Kapoor conferred with Padma Shri

Hindi film personalities Karan Johar, Kangana Ranaut, Ekta Kapoor and Adnan Sami have been conferred with the Padma Shri award this year. Singer Suresh Wadkar and veteran television actor Sarita Joshi were also honoured.

Instituted in 1954, the Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest civilian award given to luminaries in the fields of art, education, literature, social work, medicine and the like. A total of 118 Padma Shri awardees were announced on the eve of Republic Day, along with 16 Padma Bhusan and 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees.

Sharing his excitement, Karan Johar said, ”It’s not very often that I’m at a loss for words, but this is one such occasion... The PadmaShri. Such an honour to receive one of the highest civilian awards in the country. Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now.  Humbled, elated and thankful for the opportunity to live my dream everyday, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me.”

Kangana said she was humbled on winning the award.

“I'm humbled and I’m honoured. I thank my country for this recognition and I dedicate this to every woman who dares to dream. To every daughter... to every mother... and to the dreams of women who will shape the future of our country,” she said.

Ekta Kapoor stated, “I hope to continue breaking boundaries, to continue giving young talent a chance and to strive to give back to the country for all the love that’s come my way.”

The 2020 Padma Awards will be distributed in an official ceremony around March or April.