Hema Malini receives Dharmendra's posthumous Padma Vibhushan at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Synopsis
In one of the most emotionally charged moments of the 2025 Padma Awards, Hema Malini accepted the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband Dharmendra — who passed away at 89 last November — from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was a public farewell to a man whose career defined Hindi cinema for over six decades.
Key Takeaways
Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously on behalf of Dharmendra at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 May .
Dharmendra passed away in November last year at the age of 89 , reportedly due to breathing difficulties.
Dharmendra was discovered through a Filmfare–Bimal Roy Productions talent hunt in 1958 — the same contest that later found Rajesh Khanna .
Bengali cinema star Prosenjit Chatterjee received the Padma Shri at the same ceremony for his contribution to Indian cinema.
The Padma Awards ceremony is being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan , presided over by President Droupadi Murmu .
Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini accepted the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband Dharmendra from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, 25 May, in an emotionally charged moment at the annual Padma Awards ceremony. The honour was conferred posthumously on the iconic actor, who passed away in November last year at the age of 89.
An Emotional Moment at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Hema Malini visibly struggled to compose herself as she stepped forward to receive the country's second-highest civilian honour on her husband's behalf. The strict decorum of the Padma ceremony, however, meant she kept her emotions in check, managing to hold back her tears as she accepted the award from the President. The moment drew widespread attention, underscoring the depth of a personal loss that had also become a national one for generations of Hindi film lovers.
Dharmendra: A Career That Defined an Era
Born in 1935 in Punjab, Dharmendra began his journey into Hindi cinema after winning a nationwide talent hunt contest organised by Filmfare magazine in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions in 1958. Selected for his striking looks and natural charisma, the competition served as his gateway to Bollywood. Notably, the same talent hunt would later help discover Rajesh Khanna, who went on to become one of Hindi cinema's biggest superstars. Dharmendra built a career spanning over six decades, cementing his place as one of Bollywood's most enduring and beloved figures. He was reportedly placed on a ventilator in his final days due to severe breathing difficulties before passing away last November.
Prosenjit Chatterjee Honoured with Padma Shri
In another highlight of the ceremony, Bengali cinema legend Prosenjit Chatterjee received the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — from President Murmu. Chatterjee was recognised in the field of Art for his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema. He was seen dressed in an elegant kurta as he walked up to receive the honour, drawing applause from those in attendance.
Padma Awards 2025: Ceremony Underway
The Padma Awards ceremony is being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presiding over the conferral of honours across categories. The awards recognise exceptional contributions in fields ranging from arts and literature to public service and science. Dharmendra's posthumous Padma Vibhushan is among the most emotionally resonant recognitions at this year's ceremony, given the actor's towering legacy in Indian popular culture. As the film fraternity and fans reflect on his life and work, the honour marks a formal acknowledgement of a career that shaped the identity of Hindi cinema across generations.
Point of View
And the recognition now doubles as an elegy. The emotional weight on Hema Malini at a protocol-bound state ceremony is a reminder that India's civilian honours system rarely accounts for the human dimension of posthumous conferrals. More broadly, the 2025 Padma list's inclusion of regional stalwarts like Prosenjit Chatterjee signals a gradual broadening beyond Bollywood's Hindi heartland — a shift worth watching as the awards seek to reflect the full geography of Indian culture.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Dharmendra's Padma Vibhushan awarded posthumously?
Dharmendra passed away in November last year at the age of 89 before the Padma Awards ceremony could take place, making the honour a posthumous conferral. His wife, Hema Malini, accepted the award on his behalf from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 May.
What is the Padma Vibhushan?
The Padma Vibhushan is India's second-highest civilian honour, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service to the nation. It is conferred annually by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
How did Dharmendra enter the film industry?
Dharmendra was selected as the winner of a nationwide talent hunt organised by Filmfare magazine and Bimal Roy Productions in 1958, chosen for his looks and natural charm. That victory opened the door to his Bollywood career, which spanned over six decades.
Who else received a Padma Award at the same ceremony?
Bengali cinema legend Prosenjit Chatterjee received the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — at the same ceremony, recognised for his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema.
How did Hema Malini respond at the ceremony?
Hema Malini had an emotional moment as she received the honour on her husband's behalf, but maintained composure in keeping with the strict protocols of the Padma Awards ceremony.
