The Padma Awards were announced by the Government of India late night on Saturday. Out of the total of 139 awards, actors Ajith Kumar, Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Anant Nag are among those who are receiving the Padma Bhushan award. In the Padma Vibushan category, late writer MT Vasudevan Nair is being conferred with the award, posthumously.
Shekhar Kapur, and Shobana Chandrakumar are also receiving the Padma Bhushan from the cinema field. Meanwhile Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, the owner of Nalli is also receiving a Padma Bhushan from Tamil Nadu.
In the Padma Shri category, some of the award recipients from the cinema industry are, Arijit Singh, Ashok Laxman Saraf, Barry Godfray John, Jaspinder Narula and Ricky Kej and more.
Reacting to the Padma honour, Ajith said in a statment, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award by the President of India. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for this prestigious honour. It is a privilege to be recognised at such a level and I am truly grateful for this generous acknowledgment of my contributions to our nation. At the same time, I am mindful that this recognition is not just a personal accolade but a testament to the collective efforts and support of many. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the members of the film industry, including my distinguished seniors, various peers, and untold others. Your inspiration, collaboration, and support have been instrumental in my journey, including the pursuit of my passion in other areas as well. I am also grateful for the kind support, over the years, of the motor racing fraternity and the sports pistol and rifle shooting community. I thank the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the National Rifle Association of India, and the Chennai Rifle Club for their encouragement of sports and the community of sportspersons.”
He further went on to say, “To my family and friends: Your love and support have been both a refuge and source of strength. Thank you! I wish my late father had lived to see this day. Yet, I like to think he would be proud that his spirit and legacy live on in all that I do. I want to thank my mother for her unconditional love and the sacrifices that enabled me to become all that I could be. To Shalini, my wife and companion of nearly 25 wonderful years: Your partnership has been a joy and cornerstone of my success. And to my children, Anoushka and Aadvik: You are my pride and the light of my life, motivating me to set an example for how to do well and live right. Lastly, to all my fans, supporters, and well-wishers: Your unwavering love and support have fueled my passion and dedication. This award is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you all for this incredible honour and for being part of this journey. I am committed to continuing to serve with integrity and passion and wish you all just as well on your own journeys.”
Shekhar Kapur, on the other hand, took to X to respond to his award. “What an honour! I am humbled that the Government of India has considered me to be deserving of a Padma Bhushan. Hopefully this award will make me strive harder to serve the Industry that I am part of, and the beautiful Nation that I am so fortunate to belong to. Thank you also to our film audiences of India, for I am because you are.”
Actor Shobana shared an audio note thanking the Government of India for her Padma Bhushan. "I thank the deciding committee for honouring me with the award. I am grateful to my parents and my team, as well as my friends and fans. I am currently in Mumbai, and so I cannot meet anybody now. I hope to meet the press and public once I come to Chennai."
The Padma Awards are among India's most prestigious civilian honors, presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These accolades celebrate excellence across various fields, including arts, social work, science and technology, literature and education, medicine, and more.
