3 minutes of readingNew DelhiFebruary 2, 2026 04:42 pm IST
Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini on Monday expressed her happiness and pride over the Padma Vibhushan award given to her late husband and legendary actor Dharmendra, saying she regretted that the recognition for her immense contribution to Indian cinema had not come sooner.
Speaking to ANI, Malini said the honor was a moment of joy not only for the family but for the entire country.
“It makes us very happy, the entire country is happy. If he had come earlier, Dharmendra ji would have been extremely happy, and seeing him, his fans would have been even happier,” he said, reacting to the announcement made on the eve of Republic Day.
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award will be awarded to Dharmendra for his exceptional and distinguished service to the arts. The honor was announced as part of the official list of Padma Awards for 2026, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of Republic Day.
In a separate statement, Hema Malini described the recognition as long overdue. “I am very proud that the government has recognized Dharam ji’s immense contribution to the film industry by awarding him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award,” she said, expressing gratitude to the Center for recognizing his legacy.
Dharmendra, fondly remembered as the original ‘He-Man’ of Hindi cinema, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving behind a huge legacy spanning over six decades. Known for his charismatic screen presence, kind smile and versatility, he was widely considered one of the most iconic actors in Indian cinema.
His work includes classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Ayee Milan Ki Bela and Anupama.
In December last year, Hema Malini organized a prayer meeting in the national capital in his honour. The meeting was attended by several prominent political leaders and members of the film fraternity.
Union Home Minister amit shahBJP president JP Nadda, along with several ministers and MPs, attended the meeting and offered his condolences to Malini and her daughters, Esha and Ahana.
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The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honours, are awarded in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, and are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held annually, usually in March or April.