Mammootty Conferred Padma Bhushan By President Murmu At Rashtrapati Bhavan Ceremony
Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Following the official civil investiture ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the veteran actor and his family members to congratulate them on the high civilian honor.
Key Highlights
- Malayalam superstar Mammootty was officially conferred with the Padma Bhushan award on June 23, 2026.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the actor’s family, including his son Dulquer Salmaan, for a celebratory meeting.
- Playback singer Alka Yagnik also received the Padma Bhushan, while actor-filmmaker R Madhavan was awarded the Padma Shri.
- The civil investiture ceremony saw 65 individuals felicitated, concluding the presentation of 131 total approved awards for the year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected with legendary actor Mammootty and his family members following the conclusion of the formal Padma ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The iconic Malayalam actor was officially conferred with the Padma Bhushan in New Delhi on June 23.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi utilized social media platforms to distribute multiple photographs and extend his formal congratulations to Mammootty for securing the Padma Bhushan today. During the event at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the film icon was supported by his family, including his son Dulquer Salmaan, his daughter-in-law Amal Sufiya, his daughter Surumi, and his wife Sulfath Kutty.
Prime Minister Modi uploaded the digital images after the investiture proceedings concluded on Instagram, stating that he met the prominent cinema figure and his family following the ceremony earlier in the day.
The shared photographs captured cheerful interactions, displaying Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan smiling alongside the Prime Minister, followed by a comprehensive group portrait featuring the entire family unit.
Apart from the Malayalam cinema trailblazer, veteran playback singer Alka Yagnik was similarly conferred with the Padma Bhushan during the event. The acclaimed vocalist, who has been managing severe hearing loss over recent years, required assistance from a stage usher to reach the dais. Prior to accepting the medal, Yagnik approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the front row to offer traditional respects and seek blessings.
Yagnik previously expressed her deep emotional gratitude toward the Government of India, the film community, and her listeners on social media when the initial selection list emerged in January, describing the honor as deeply humbling after decades of musical service.
The roster of distinguished honorees also featured actor-filmmaker R Madhavan, who accepted the Padma Shri for his distinct contributions to Indian cinema. Madhavan engaged in a brief personal exchange with Prime Minister Modi before stepping forward onto the main stage to receive his medal from President Droupadi Murmu, later expressing profound humility and dedicating the recognition to his supportive family and mentors.
For the current yearly cycle, the President sanctioned a grand total of 131 Padma Awards, which comprised 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri titles. The Tuesday proceedings marked the second civil investiture ceremony of the year, where 65 total individuals were celebrated, including 2 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri recipients, following an earlier ceremony on May 26 that honored 66 individuals. The list of honorees also featured a posthumous recognition for late actor Satish Shah.
Mammootty’s filmography
Mammootty, currently 74 years old, initiated his professional screen career with an official credited performance in the 1980 Malayalam production Vilkkanundu Swapnangal before advancing through the cinematic ranks with a succession of impactful roles. His definitive mainstream breakthrough arrived with the 1983 film Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu, which firmly positioned him as a principal box-office draw in Kerala.
Across an active career extending over more than 40 to 50 years, Mammootty has performed extensively across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi language films, gaining international praise for his performance variance and artistic depth. He has secured numerous Filmfare Awards alongside multiple National Film Awards, having previously received the Padma Shri civilian honor back in 1998 for his structural contributions to national cinema.
Widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished actors across the Indian subcontinent, Mammootty continues to serve as an active icon of Indian cinema. He recently starred alongside fellow superstar Mohanlal in the thriller Patriot, delivered a cameo appearance in Chatha Pacha, and is currently preparing for upcoming projects including Padayaatra and OM: Chapter 1. Following the ceremony, the actor noted on X that he felt deeply humbled by the acknowledgment, dedicating the milestone to his global audience.
Padma Awards Distribution 2026
| Award Category | Ceremony I (May 26) | Ceremony II (June 23) | Total Approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Padma Bhushan | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Padma Shri | 57 | 56 | 113 |
| Total Honorees | 66 | 65 | 131 |
History of Mammootty’s Civilian Honors
Mammootty’s ascent to the Padma Bhushan in 2026 marks his second major civilian recognition from the Government of India. The actor was first inducted into the national honors system 28 years ago, receiving the Padma Shri in 1998 during the peak of his mid-career successes. This latest elevation places him in an elite bracket of Indian artists who have transitioned from the fourth-highest to the third-highest civilian honor, reflecting his sustained relevance and artistic contributions across five distinct decades of filmmaking.
FAQs
When did Mammootty receive the Padma Bhushan award?
Mammootty was formally presented with the Padma Bhushan award on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Which other entertainment personalities were honored at the ceremony?
Playback singer Alka Yagnik was conferred with the Padma Bhushan award, while actor-filmmaker R Madhavan received the Padma Shri award. Additionally, late actor Satish Shah was recognized posthumously.
How many total Padma Awards were given out by the President this year?
The President approved a grand total of 131 Padma Awards for the year, consisting of 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honors distributed across two separate investiture ceremonies.
