Ajith Kumar receives Padma Bhushan; Superstar celebrates the honour with family at Rashtrapati Bhavan
etimes.in | Apr 30, 2025, 03.31 PM IST
Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar was honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, on April 28, 2025. The award ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the accolade to Ajith in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ajith's wife Shalini and their children, Anoushka and Aadvik, were present to share the proud moment with him.
Ajith had been announced as a Padma Bhushan recipient earlier in January 2025, and he expressed his deep gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging that the honour was not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the collective support from his peers, seniors, and fans.
Ajith's statement expressing his gratitude
In a statement, he said, "I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award from 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.
The actor, known affectionately as "Thala," thanked the President, Prime Minister, and the Indian government for this esteemed acknowledgement of his contributions to art and cinema.
He also said, "It is a privilege to be recognised 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."
See More: Ajith Kumar hospitalised in Chennai for medical treatment; Fans request for official statement
A remarkable career
With a career spanning over three decades and more than 60 films, Ajith Kumar has established himself as one of Tamil cinema's most influential and beloved stars. He made his debut as a lead actor in 1993 with 'Amaravathi' and gained fame with romantic films before transitioning into action-packed roles in hits like 'Amarkalam', 'Dheena', and 'Citizen'. Blockbusters such as 'Varalaaru', 'Billa', and 'Mankatha' made him a top action star.
His recent film, 'Good Bad Ugly' is performing well at the box office, racking up over Rs 151 crore in India and over Rs 200 crore worldwide.
Ajith had been announced as a Padma Bhushan recipient earlier in January 2025, and he expressed his deep gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging that the honour was not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the collective support from his peers, seniors, and fans.
Ajith's statement expressing his gratitude
In a statement, he said, "I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award from 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.The actor, known affectionately as "Thala," thanked the President, Prime Minister, and the Indian government for this esteemed acknowledgement of his contributions to art and cinema.
He also said, "It is a privilege to be recognised 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."
See More: Ajith Kumar hospitalised in Chennai for medical treatment; Fans request for official statement
A remarkable career
With a career spanning over three decades and more than 60 films, Ajith Kumar has established himself as one of Tamil cinema's most influential and beloved stars. He made his debut as a lead actor in 1993 with 'Amaravathi' and gained fame with romantic films before transitioning into action-packed roles in hits like 'Amarkalam', 'Dheena', and 'Citizen'. Blockbusters such as 'Varalaaru', 'Billa', and 'Mankatha' made him a top action star.
His recent film, 'Good Bad Ugly' is performing well at the box office, racking up over Rs 151 crore in India and over Rs 200 crore worldwide.