Veteran actress Hema Malini accepted the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband Dharmendra from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The emotional moment for Hema Malini occurred during the Padma Awards ceremony, where she managed to compose herself despite the overwhelming emotions. Dharmendra, a beloved Bollywood star, passed away at 89 last November after facing breathing difficulties and being placed on a ventilator.
Bollywood icon Dharmendra’s journey in the film industry began in the early 1960s after winning a talent competition organized by Filmfare magazine and Bimal Roy Productions in the late 1950s. His striking looks and natural charm paved his way to stardom, making him one of the industry’s enduring stars. This same competition also discovered Rajesh Khanna, a prominent figure in Hindi cinema.
In a separate recognition, Bengali cinema legend Prosenjit Chatterjee was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Chatterjee, acknowledging his artistic achievements over the decades. The Padma awards ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, celebrating the outstanding talents across various fields.
