Hema Malini Accepts Posthumous Padma Vibhushan for Late Actor Dharmendra From President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards 2026 during a ceremony held at the Ganatantra Mandap in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, honoring several distinguished personalities from various fields. Among the recipients was legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, who was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor. The emotional moment drew attention as actor-politician Hema Malini accepted the award on his behalf.

The ceremony was attended by several senior leaders, including Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During the presentation, Hema Malini appeared visibly emotional while receiving the honor in memory of Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025. Videos and photographs from the event quickly circulated online, with fans and members of the film industry paying tribute to the veteran actor’s legacy.

On the official Padma Awards website, Dharmendra was described as “one of the most versatile and successful actors in the history of the Hindi film industry.” The citation also highlighted his immense contribution to Indian cinema through more than 300 films and referred to him as the iconic “He-Man” of Bollywood. Dharmendra had earlier been conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for his contribution to the arts and entertainment industry.

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Dharmendra’s career spanned several decades, during which he became one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated stars through films across action, romance, drama, and comedy genres. His performances in classics such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke, and Deewar earned him enduring popularity across generations. The decision to honor him with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously has been widely viewed as recognition of his lasting impact on Indian cinema and popular culture.

The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors and are presented annually to individuals for exceptional contributions in fields such as art, literature, education, public affairs, science, and social work. This year’s ceremony once again highlighted achievements across diverse sectors, while Dharmendra’s posthumous recognition emerged as one of the most emotional moments of the event.

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