Hema Malini has emotional moment as she receives Dharmendra's posthumous Padma Vibhushan
Mumbai, May 25
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 to the late actor, who passed away in November last year.
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.
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. He was born in 1935 in Punjab, and began his career in the early 1960s, after he was discovered through a talent hunt competition.
In the late 1950s, Filmfare magazine, in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions, organized a nationwide talent contest to find new faces for Hindi cinema. He entered the competition and was selected as the winner in 1958, chosen for his striking looks and natural charm. This victory opened the door to the film industry for him. The same talent hunt would later go on to discover Rajesh Khanna, one of Hindi cinema's biggest superstars.
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.
The Padma awards are underway at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very emotional to see this. I grew up watching Dharmendra's films with my father. From 'Sholay' to 'Chup Chup Ke', he brought so much joy. The Padma Vibhushan is well-deserved. Also happy to see Prosenjit Chatterjee get the Padma Shri—Bengali cinema is often overlooked.
Hema Malini is a class act. Despite being a politician and a veteran actress, she showed her vulnerable side. It's nice to see the government recognizing old-school legends. The talent hunt story is fascinating too—imagine winning a contest and becoming a superstar like Dharmendra or Rajesh Khanna! ✨
Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. Hema Malini is an MP, and she should have brought more dignity to the occasion. The strict protocols exist for a reason, but her visibly struggling to hold back tears felt a bit too dramatic for a national ceremony. Still, Dharmendra was a great actor, no doubt.
As someone from the US, I find this heartwarming. In our country, we rarely see such emotional moments during awards ceremonies. The bond between Hema Malini and Dharmendra was legendary—both on and off screen. This recognition, though posthumous, must mean the world to the family.
The Padma awards are always a proud moment for India. But I feel sad that Dharmendra couldn't receive it in person. He was a true icon who inspired generations. Also kudos to President Droupadi Murmu ji for conducting the ceremony with grace. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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