Tamil star Ajith Kumar has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, by the Union government. The star is among the 19 Padma Bhushan awardees announced by the government on Saturday (January 25).
In a press release, the actor expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for the honour. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award by the President of India. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for this prestigious honour. It is a privilege to be recognized at such a level and I am truly grateful for this generous acknowledgement of my contributions to our nation. At the same time, I am mindful that this recognition is not just a personal accolade but a testament to the collective efforts and support of many,” said Ajith, before thanking his fellow film industry members whose support he says played an instrumental role in his journey.
A charismatic motorsport racer — who owns the racing team Ajith Kumar Racing — and a State-level shooting champion, Ajith also thanked the motor racing fraternity and the sports pistol and rifle shooting community for their support. “I thank the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the National Rifle Association of India, and the Chennai Rifle Club for their encouragement of sports and the community of sportspersons.”
Thanking his family and friends, Ajith noted how he wished his late father had lived to see this day. “Yet, I like to think he would be proud that his spirit and legacy live on in all that I do. I want to thank my mother for her unconditional love and the sacrifices that enabled me to become all that I could be.” The Vidaamuyarchi-star then thanked his wife, actor Shalini, calling their partnership a cornerstone of his success. “And to my children, Anoushka and Aadvik: You are my pride and the light of my life, motivating me to set an example for how to do well and live right,” he added, before thanking his fans, whose support he says fueled his passion and dedication.
One of the leading stars of Indian cinema, Ajith has starred in more than 60 films in a career spanning more than three decades. Following a brief appearance in 1990’s En Veedu En Kanavar, the actor made his debut as a lead in 1993’s Amaravathi. After starring in predominantly romance-centric films, the star transitioned into an action hero over the turn of the century, with films like Amarkalam, Dheena, and Citizen. Films like Varalaaru, Billa, and Mankatha further cemented his position as one of the leading superstars of Tamil cinema. A Kalaimamani awardee, Ajith has won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Notably, film producer and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna and veteran director Shekhar Kapur have also been awarded the Padma Bhushan. Noted Malayalam author and screenwriter M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who passed away last year at 91, has been posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan alongside late singer Pankaj Udhas.
Other notable awardees from the field of cinema include Anant Nag for Padma Bhushan, Shobana Chandrakumar for Padma Bhushan, and Ricky Kej for Padma Shri.
Former CJI, violinist, and Kathak dancer among Padma Vibhushan awardees
The Padma awards, among the nation’s highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
The awardees were announced on the eve of Republic Day by the President of India.
The Padma awards encompass a range of disciplines, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry and others. In 2014, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, yesteryear icon Vyjayanthimala, actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty and singer Usha Uthup were among the eminent recipients of the Padma awards.
Published – January 25, 2025 09:55 pm IST