25 May,2026 06:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Hema Malini receives the Padma Vibhushan conferred on veteran actor Dharmendra posthumously. Photo by PTI
Veteran actress Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her husband Dharmendra from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The honour was conferred posthumously on the late actor, who passed away in November last year. As the actress received the honour, she was seen fighting back tears, while her younger daughter Ahana Deol broke down.
The actress had an emotional moment as she received the honour on her husband's behalf. However, given the strict protocols during the Padma Awards ceremony, the actress, who is also a politician, managed to fight back her tears. During the ceremony, Ahana Deol got emotional when her father Dharmendra's name was announced. She was seated with her husband, Vaibhav Vohra, by her side.
Earlier, speaking to ANI, Hema Malini said the honour was a moment of joy not just for the family but for the entire country. "It makes us very happy, the entire country is happy. Had it come earlier, Dharmendra ji would have been extremely happy, and seeing him, his fans would have been even happier," she said.
Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 in November last year. The actor was reportedly put on a ventilator as he was suffering from breathing difficulties. He was one of Bollywood's most enduring and beloved stars.
Fondly remembered as Hindi cinema's original âHe-Man', he left behind a towering legacy spanning over six decades. His body of work includes classics such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, and Anupama.
Meanwhile, Bengali cinema legend Prosenjit Chatterjee received India's fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, from President Droupadi Murmu. The veteran actor was honoured in the field of art for his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema. In visuals from the ceremony, the actor was seen dressed in an elegant kurta as he walked up to receive the honour.
Apart from him, Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, late actor Satish Shah, and R. Madhavan will also be honoured at the ceremony for their contribution to the field of arts.
The Padma Awards are underway at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital.
