Top Tamil Cinema Stars Who’ve Won the Prestigious Padma Bhushan – Full List Revealed!

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Year after year, the Padma Awards serve as a tribute to India’s most exceptional individuals. In the realm of Tamil cinema, certain actors have been bestowed with the Padma Bhushan for their exceptional contributions to films. These illustrious stars have left an indelible mark on us through their captivating performances. Let’s pause and acknowledge these worthy recipients of this esteemed honor.

Tamil actors who have been honored with Padma Bhushan

1. Sivaji Ganesan (1984)

In 1984, Sivaji Ganesan, a titan of Indian cinema, was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government. His illustrious career, which lasted over 3 decades, included starring in more than 250 films across various languages. Renowned for his acting abilities and screen charisma, he was affectionately known as Nadigar Thilagam. Prior to this, he had been awarded the Padma Shri in 1966, and later received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1997.

2. Rajinikanth (2000)

In the year 2000, Rajinikanth received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, which recognized his extraordinary acting abilities and the profound impact he made on the cultural environment. In 2016, his illustrious career achieved even greater recognition when he was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor.

3. Kamal Haasan (2014)

In 2014, Kamal Haasan was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan. This accolade was given for his exceptional work in Indian cinema. Previously, he had been awarded the Padma Shri in 1990. By the time he received the Padma Bhushan, Kamal Haasan had acted in close to 200 movies.

4. Vijayakanth (2024)

In 2024, Vijayakanth was given the Padma Bhushan posthumously for his exceptional contributions to Tamil cinema. Regrettably, he had passed away on December 28, 2023. His wife Premalatha accepted the award, accompanied by their son Vijay Prabhakaran. With more than 150 films and a political career, Vijayakanth’s legacy remains an inspiration for many.

5. Ajith Kumar (2025)

On April 28, 2025, Ajith Kumar was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan. This recognition came for his significant lifetime achievement in art and cinema. President Droupadi Murmu handed over the honor during an official event, which took place under the watch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was back in January 2025 that Ajith’s name was announced among the recipients.

6. Shobana (2025)

In January 2025, Shobana – renowned for her film work and expertise in Bharatanatyam – was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan. Interestingly, she had previously been awarded the Padma Shri in 2006. With two National Awards to her credit, this versatile artist is not only a talented actress but also heads the Kalarpana dance school in Chennai.

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2025-04-29 13:08