The Indian entertainment industry witnessed a historic incident as several artists were honored with the Padma Award by President Draupadi Murmu on 28 May. Veteran actor Ashok Saraf, Anant Nag, Indian musician and three-time Grammy winner Ricky Cage and actor-dancer Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai Pillai were the recipient at the Awards 2025.

Actor Anant Nag and Ashok Laxman Sarf received Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri from the President of India respectively. Music composer Ricky Cage was also honored to Padma Shri for his exemplary work. Actor Shobana Chandrakumar was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to art. Late singer Sharda Sinha was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhan in the art category.

On 28 April, the first phase of the award ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Nandamuri Balakrishna, Ajit Kumar, Shekhar Kapoor and many others received their awards last month.

Other Padma Bhushan Award winners

• Nandamuri Balakrishnan (Telugu Actor) – Art
• Shekhar Kapoor (Indian Fimkar) – Art
• Ajit Kumar (Telugu actor) – Art
• Pankaj Udhas (singer) – Art (posthumously honor)

Other Padma Vibhan Award winners

• Kumudini Rajinikanth Lakhia (Indian dancer and choreographer) art

Other Padma Shri Award winners

• Barry John (Theater actor, director and acting coach)

On receiving India’s highest civilian honor from President Murmu, Ricky in an interview Hindustan Times Said, “The moment I received the Padma Award, it was a full spot. Once my name was called out, I decided to gather the award barefoot. It seemed as if I was in a temple. So many unheard heroes were being celebrated, people working at the ground level and just were going about my amazing work in various fields.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee shared a heartfelt note dedicated to his mentor Barry John on social media and wrote, “My Guru, Barry John, My Guiding Light! He was the first person to see the ability for me, to trust me with those responsibilities.

The Padma Awards 2025 was announced on 25 January.