Our Bureau
New Delhi
Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, legendary Bollywood star Dharmendra, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award, conferring the honour posthumously on Dharmendra for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
Dharmendra, widely known as the “He‑Man of Bollywood,” passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second‑highest civilian award, recognises his six‑decade‑long career in Hindi films, during which he headlined numerous box‑office hits and helped shape the modern commercial Hindi film hero.
An emotional Hema Malini walked up to the stage in a light pink saree adorned with intricate details, accompanied by her daughter Ahana Deol. As her name was called, she folded her hands in greeting and choked back tears while receiving the honour from President Murmu. Ahana, seated in the audience, was also seen crying as the ceremony paid tribute to her father’s legacy.
The government had announced Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan last January, and Hema Malini had then taken to social media to express her pride, calling it a fitting recognition of his life’s work. The ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan also saw Padma awards conferred on other artists, sportspersons and public figures, including classical violinist N. Rajam and cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, underscoring the civilian honours’ focus on diverse fields of national service.
