Legendary Bollywood Star Dharmendra Posthumously Honoured With Padma Vibhushan

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra — one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars — was **posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in the 2026 Padma Awards announced around Republic Day. The recognition celebrates Dharmendra’s decades-long contribution to film and popular culture and honours the legacy he left behind following his death in November 2025.

Affectionately known as the “He-Man of Bollywood,” Dharmendra had a prolific career spanning more than six decades, delivering iconic performances in classics that spanned action, romance and drama. He was also recognised with the Padma Bhushan in 2012 during his lifetime — making the posthumous Padma Vibhushan a distinguished capstone to his legacy.

Industry figures and fans expressed admiration and pride following the announcement. Hrithik Roshan’s mother Pinkie Roshan took to social media to share her elation at Dharmendra’s recognition, calling him “my dearest uncle” and celebrating the honour bestowed on his career.

Filmmaker Anil Sharma, who worked with Dharmendra on several films, said he wished the honour had come earlier so the actor could have accepted it himself, emphasising the deep respect his peers had for his body of work in Indian cinema.

The Padma Awards 2026 list included 131 recipients from various fields, and Dharmendra’s posthumous recognition highlights the impact he had on generations of audiences and his enduring place in India’s cultural history.