(Image source from: Padma Honors for Vidya Balan)

The 65th Republic Day turned out to be a special one for the film fraternity with renowned actors across    the realms of Indian cinema — from Bengali film icons like Supriya Devi and Sabitri Chatterjee to Bollywood's Vidya Balan and Paresh Rawal and from megastar Kamal Haasan to filmmaker Santosh Sivan — nominated for the very prestigious Padma Shri.

While Kamal Haasan will receive the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, Vidya Balan and Paresh Rawal will receive the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award.

Kamal Haasan, said in a statement: "Proud to be an Indian. India is a country with great talents in various many fields. While legions await to be honoured, I am honoured that I have been chosen for Padma Bhushan by my government. I think it is sheer chance and my good fortune that I have been chosen. I hope that I would live long to do more to deserve this award. I don't consider this an honour for work that I have already done. This would be an impetus for me to do more good work, perhaps only then would I deserve it. My heartfelt congratulations for the other Padma Bhushan awardees especially my friend Mr Vairamuthu."

National award-winning actress Vidya Balan was also thrilled at being selected for the Padma Shri, saying it is a matter of “great pride” for her. Dedicating the honor to her family, an emotionally overwhelmed she said, “I’m thrilled. I’m overjoyed. I’m overwhelmed. I’m honoured. I’m humbled…! I’m running out of words to express my feelings and gratitude.”

“To be receiving this honor from the government of my country is a matter of great pride for me and I dedicate this award to my family who make me, me!,” she  added.

The awards will be conferred to the recipients by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan around March/April.

Image Source: India Today

AW: Suchorita Choudhury