Padma Awards 2026: Jr NTR and Mahesh Babu lead tributes for Dharmendra, Mammootty, and R. Madhavan

The 2026 Padma Awards were announced recently, sparking widespread celebration among the Indian film fraternity. Following the Union Government’s declaration on January 25, social media has been flooded with tributes and gratitude for the awardees. From legendary veterans to contemporary stars, the industry feels this recognition is a well-earned tribute to their years of dedication and hard work.

Jr NTR leads with a heartfelt tribute

One of the earliest was Jr. NTR, who posted an emotional and insatiable post on X (formerly Twitter) congratulating the winners: "Heartfelt congratulations to all the #PadmaAwards 2026 winners! What a great honour! A matter of pride as our iconic Dharmendra Ji receives the Padma Vibhushan. Super proud of our Telugu film industry luminaries Murali Mohan Garu and Rajendra Prasad Garu being awarded the Padma Shri. Your work is truly legendary and will stand strong through generations.’ He left a message on his post to all winners: “Congratulations to @mammukka sir on getting the Padmashan for inspiring generations through decades of stellar career.”.




Jr NTR also extended praise beyond cinema, noting, “@ActorMadhavan sir, a well-deserved recognition for your versatility and contribution to Indian cinema. And cheers to sports stars @ImRo45 & @ImHarmanpreet on their well-deserved Padma Shri. Your passion and excellence light up the nation… Jai Hind!”

Mahesh Babu and Mohanlal echo the sentiment

Mahesh Babu also shared his inputs, as a certain degree of talent has to be accepted and celebrated in the country at a national level. He said through a post on Twitter, "Very sad to see good work being recognized and appreciated at the highest level. But proud moment to see Padma Vibhushan awarded to Dharmendra Ji." He further expressed, "Hats off to @mammukka garu who got awarded with the Padmashtra Bhushan award. And big respect for Murali Mohan garu Rajendra Prasad garu @ActorMadhavan @imHarmanpreet @HarmanPreet singh for receiving the prestigious Padma Shri awards, and hearty congratulations to all the awardees who are selected for Padmas 2026.

Acclaimed actor Mohanlal, on the other hand, came across as sensitive and emotional in his messages to Mammootty, stating, “Ichakka, absolutely delighted to know you’ve been conferred the Padma Bhushan. Heartfelt congratulations. Wishing you continued grace and glory.”

The 2026 Padma Awards have celebrated a diverse group of icons, led by the legendary Dharmendra, who received the Padma Vibhushan, posthumously for his monumental six-decade career. The honors also recognized Malayalam megastar Mammootty with the Padma Bhushan, while Padma Shri awards were conferred upon versatile actor-director R. Madhavan and Telugu cinema veterans Murali Mohan and Rajendra Prasad. Beyond the silver screen, the nation celebrated sports excellence by awarding the Padma Shri to cricket captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, marking a year of prestigious recognition for both Indian cinema and athletics.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”