Actor Kangana Ranaut and singer Adnan Sami were honoured with Padma Shri at Monday's ceremony in Delhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented by President Ram Nath Kovind. Among the other winners for the awards were Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor. Legendary Late Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who passed away last year was awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
Kangana wore a green and golden saree for the occasion. Sami chose a black sherwani with golden embroidery at the neck. Adnan Sami chose a black sherwani with golden embroidery at the neck. Speaking about the honour, Kangana had earlier said, “I started my journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh, and for me to be in the same league as these bigwigs we have grown up watching, whether it is Karan’s films or Ekta Kapoor’s serials… We knew these people, growing up. And who has not heard Adnan Sami ji’s songs? For a girl like me, to get a Padma Shri alongside them is a matter of pride.”
Adnan took to social media and said, “Sometimes you don't have words to express yourself. Thankful to Govt. Thankful to people, nothing is possible without them. I dedicate this to my father-mother. It's not only an honour but also a responsibility, which I'll try to carry out well.” Ekta Kapoor wrote on Twitter, “humbled and overwhelmed. My foray into the industry started when I was just 17. I constantly heard I was ‘too young’, ‘too raw’ and it was ‘too soon’ to make things happen. Through the years I’ve realised it’s never ‘too soon’ to live out your dreams and being ‘too young’ is probably the best thing."
Karan Johar had written, “It’s not very often that I am at a loss for words, but this is one such occasion…The Padma Shri. Such an honour to receive one of the civilian awards in the country. Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream every day, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me. #blessed.”
The Padma Awards, the fourth highest civilian award in India, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. In total, 119 Padma Awards were presented by President Kovind this year.