‘Surreal’, ‘Speechless’, ‘overwhelmed’ are the words that describe the emotion of Vyjayantimala, Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakraborty, Usha Uthup and others as they receive Padma Awards

Indian cinema veterans Vyjayanthimala, Konidela Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup and composer Pyarelal Sharma were among 132 recipients of the coveted Padma Awards for the year 2024 announced on the eve of Republic Day.

Vyjayanthimala, 90, and Chiranjeevi, 68, have been bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

Padma Vibhushan
Vyjayanthimala

Regarded as one of Indian cinema’s finest actors, Vyjayanthimala starred in many classics from 1950s and 1960s, including Devdas, Naya Daur, Aasha, Sadhna, Gunga Jumna, Sangam and Jewel Thief.

She made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949). She garnered fame with classic film Devdas and her portrayal of Chandramukhi in it. She shared the best on-screen chemistry with late actor Dilip Kumar, with whom she gave hits Devdas, Naya Daur and Ganga Jumna.

She was earlier awarded Padma Shri in 1968. She got married the same year to Chamanlal Bali and took an early retirement from acting. Ganwaar (1970) is known to be her last cinematic outing. Since then she focused on her first love Bharatanatyam. She is the recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Hema Malini met legendary Vyjayanthimala at the latter’s residence in Chennai to congratulate her for Padma Vibhushan honour. Taking to Instagram, Hema Malini shared a series of pictures of herself with the Jewel Thief star.

“Most memorable day of my life – meeting my role model, the icon Vyjayanthimala along with her lovely family at her Chennai residence yesterday. She is so full of life. She talks dance, lives dance and has a glow and aura around her. I was in as much awe as I was many years ago…” Hema Malini captioned the post.

Padma Vibhushan
Chiranjeevi

Veteran actor Chiranjeevi says he is “humbled and grateful” to be honoured to be with Padma Vibushan, an award that he owes to his fans.

In a video posted on social media on Thursday night, Chiranjeevi said he became “speechless” and “overwhelmed” after hearing the news.

“After hearing this news, I became speechless. I am really overwhelmed. I am humbled and grateful for this honour. It’s only the unconditional and invaluable love of the people, audiences, my fans, my blood-brothers and blood-sisters that allowed me to reach here. I owe my life and this moment to you,” the actor said.

Chiranjeevi is one of the top stars from the South Indian cinema, having worked in over 150 feature films in Telugu as well as Hindi, Tamil and Kannada. Some of his popular films include Rudra Veena, Indra, Tagore, Swayam Krushi, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Stalin and Gang Leader. He was previously honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2006.

“I always try to express my gratitude the way I can, though I know I can never do enough. On screen, the last 45 years of my film career, I have tried to entertain you to the best of my abilities.

“And off-screen, I try to help the needy by taking up relevant and social humanitarian causes from time to time,” he said.

The actor said he is forever “indebted” to his fans for their love and support over the years.

Padma Bhushan
Mithun Chakraborty

From making his debut playing a Santhal rebel in a Mrinal Sen film to being emblazoned in public memory as the Disco Dancer, from Communist to BJP follower, and hospitality industry baron based out of Ooty, Mithun Chakraborty has lived a crowded and colourful life that has finally been acknowledged by the President confirming upon him the prestigious Padma Bhushan.

Born on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, Mithun marked his acting debut with the critically acclaimed Mrinal Sen film Mrigayaa in 1976. His big screen journey is a fascinating odyssey, and he is celebrated for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between various genres, including drama, action and dance.

Mithun’s filmography which includes Disco Dancer, Agneepath, Ghar Ek Mandir, Jallad and Pyaar Jhukta Nahin, in fact, is a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal.

Padma Bhushan
Usha Uthup

Now, honoured with the Padma Bhushan, 12 years after she was conferred the Padma Shri, Usha Uthup (formerly Iyer), the Queen of Indian Pop, famous for her husky voice, boundless energy, distinctive red bindi and tastefully selected Kanjivarams, sang herself into popular imagination with two anthemic numbers of Hindi cinema’s disco era — Hari Om Hari (Armaan, 1981) and Aha Nache Nache (Disco Dancer, 1982).

Not formally trained in music, Uthup got her first singing break in a nightclub in Madras before she moved to Kolkata. She was discovered in Chennai for Bollywood by Dev Anand and Shashi Kapoor, and she sang the English parts of the RD Burman-composed Hare Rama Hare Krishna in the 1971 film of the same name that launched Zeenat Aman.

Some of her memorable tracks included Ramba Ho, One Two Cha Cha, Shaan Se, Koi Yahaan Nache Nache and Hari Om Hari.

The hitmaker said, “I got to know about it yesterday…it was a fantastic feeling, I still can’t believe it is true. I’m grateful to God, I’m grateful to the government and our country. I have been singing for the last 54 years and it feels so good when we get recognised…I want to thank my family, friends, musicians, technicians and the media…”

Padma Bhushan
Pyarelal Sharma

Pyarelal Sharma has been awarded Padma Bhushan.

Pyarelal, 83, of legendary music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal began his film career in 1963. The duo emerged as one of the most successful music composers with a discography that ranged from the sentimental Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho, the playful Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho to the foot-tapping hits, Jumma Chumma De De and Ek Haseena Thi. — Agencies

Region’s pride
Padma Shri
Nirmal Rishi

For most of us, it’s no surprise that veteran Punjabi actress Nirmal Rishi has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri this year. When asked to share her experience on receiving the recognition, she humbly says, “I feel so happy. I think I have got more than I deserve.”

An integral part of Punjabi cinema, acting is the essence of her life and even on this special day, she is busy shooting. Nirmal is 80, and thanks to her love for the art, there is no stopping her. In a loving voice, she simply says, “When I first got a call to say that I had been listed for the award, I thought it wasn’t true and forgot about it. But yesterday, on the occasion of Republic Day, I received a call from the Home Ministry and I am elated.”

Having dedicated six decades of her life to Punjabi cinema and theatre, the legendary actress has made an impact through her choice of cinema. From being a part of women-centric films such as Buhe Bariyan, Godday Godday Chaa and Guddiyan Patole to bringing the best in comedy for her audience, Nirmal Rishi has been on the forefront of Punjabi cinema right from the start of her career. But which is her favourite film? “Like a mother loves all her children equally, I feel the same way for all the movies I have done.”

Born in Khiva Kalan of Mansa district, she grew up in Rajasthan and came back to Punjab when she joined the Government College Patiala for Physical Education. That’s when acclaimed playwright and film and theatre director Harpal Tiwana found her. Even in her initial years of theatre, Nirmal Rishi chose subject-oriented plays. Later, she marked her acting debut with Tiwana’s Long Da Lishkara and later acted in Diva Bale Sari Raat, the films that went on to become landmarks in Punjabi cinema.

This award is a reflection of Nirmal’s deep connection to her Punjabi roots and the difference she has made to the state’s culture and art. — Gurnaaz Kaur

Padma Shri
Pran Sabharwal

Pran Sabharwal is one of the two theatre artistes of Punjab who are hounoured with Padma Shri this year. It’s interesting that the other winner, Nirmal Rishi, and Sabharwal had worked together in the play Paisa Bolta Hai.

The 93-year-old veteran theatre activist has been running the National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS) since 1952. This Jalandhar-born, Patiala-based veteran actor is credited for over 5,000 performances in seven decades.

Sabharwal was initiated to the Punjabi theatre movement by late Prithvi Raj Kapur, a doyen of Indian Theatre and Cinema in the 1950s. He became associated with AIR, Jalandhar, in 1951 and participated in over 500 radio plays and programmes organised in Jalandhar, Simla, Jammu, Srinagar. He also got to visit foreign shores on his theatre mission with wife Sunita Sabharwal (actor, director and poet). He is also the founding faculty members of the Department of Speech, Drama & Music, at Punjabi University, Patiala.