Padma Awards 2026: Dharmendra, Prosenjit Chatterjee and others honoured during Phase 1

Hema Malini and Prosenjit Chatterjee at the Padma Awards 2026. Pics via PTI

One of the highest civilian Awards of the country, Padma Awards 2026, were conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri on Monday, May 25. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious civilian honours upon the recipients at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other dignitaries. The Awards are presented to notables in various disciplines, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

Dharmendra and Prosenjit Chatterjee conferred with Padma Awards 2026

Veteran actor Dharmendra was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. The actor, who passed away at the age of 89 on November 24, 2025, remains one of the most legendary actors in Indian cinema. His wife, Hema Malini, received the Padma Vibhushan on his behalf. Their daughter, Ahana Deol, was also present at the ceremony and was seen getting visibly emotional.

Similarly, Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee was also conferred with the Padma Shri. The actor came dressed in a traditional Bengali outfit as he received the award from the President of India.

Indian advertising professional Piyush Pandey was also conferred with the Padma Bhushan posthumously. His wife, Neetu Joshi, accepted the honour on his behalf from President Droupadi Murmu.

Why were Mammootty and Alka Yagnik not honoured today?

Notably, other honourees from the world of entertainment, including Malayalam actor Mammooty, Bollywood playback singer Alka Yagnik, R Madhavan, and Late Satish Shah, among others, were also announced as recipients of the 2026 Padma awards in January this year.

However, only the first phase of the Civil Investiture Ceremony was held on May 25, where only 66 awardees, including Dharmendra, Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and others received the honour today.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred 66 of the total 131 Padma Awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held on May 25. The first round of the 2026 ceremonies included 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan, and 58 Padma Shri honours being conferred to the respective recipients.

Notably, the officials have not yet announced a date for the second phase of the awards, which will witness the remaining awardees receiving thier honours.