Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra has been posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, as the Indian government announced the recipients of the 2026 honours.
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Fondly remembered as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” Dharmendra was recognised for his extraordinary and decades-long contribution to Indian cinema. The announcement has evoked both pride and sadness among his family, colleagues and fans, as the iconic star is no longer alive to personally receive the prestigious award.
The Padma Vibhushan acknowledgement celebrates Dharmendra’s enduring legacy, marked by countless memorable performances that helped shape Hindi cinema and inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.
Filmmaker Anil Sharma, who shared a close professional association with Dharmendra, expressed his emotions on social media, congratulating fans on the honour and describing it as a well-deserved tribute to the legendary actor.
Sharma added that his only regret was that the recognition did not come during Dharmendra’s lifetime, noting that the moment would have been even more meaningful had the veteran star been able to accept the award himself.
With a career spanning several decades, Dharmendra remains one of the most celebrated figures in Indian film history, remembered for his versatility, charisma and lasting impact on the industry.
