President Droupadi Murmu posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan upon the late actor Dharmendra on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan [1, 2].
The award recognizes Dharmendra's distinguished contributions to Indian cinema and marks one of the highest civilian honors in the country [2, 3].
Actress Hema Malini, the wife of the late actor, accepted the award on his behalf during the ceremony in New Delhi [1]. The event was part of the Padma Awards 2026, where the President honored a total of 66 awardees [4].
Malini said the experience was a deeply personal milestone while receiving the honor from the President. "It's a big, emotional moment for me," Malini said [1].
The ceremony brought together various recipients from different fields to be recognized for their service and achievement. The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, bestowed for exceptional and distinguished service.
Dharmendra's career spanned several decades, leaving a lasting impact on the Hindi film industry through his versatile roles. The posthumous recognition serves as a formal state acknowledgement of his legacy in the arts [2, 3].
“"It's a big, emotional moment for me."”
The posthumous conferment of the Padma Vibhushan underscores the Indian government's effort to institutionalize the legacy of cinematic icons. By awarding Dharmendra, the state recognizes the cultural influence of the 'Golden Age' of Bollywood, ensuring that the contributions of veteran actors are formally archived within the national honors system.
