Actor Kangana Ranaut and singer Adnan Sami were honoured with the Padma Shri at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan On Monday.
Kangana looked regal in a green-golden saree, wearing large earrings. Kangana's sister Rangoli, who was present at the venue, was seen applauding and cheering the actor. Kangana, who has received four National Awards, said that the Padma Shri is the most special honour for her.
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.”
Other recipients of the Padma Shri this year include Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and late singer SP Balasubramaniam.
Producer 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. Today, as I’m conferred with the 4th highest civilian honor- ‘Padmashri’, I’m humbled.”
Hindustani classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra was conferred the Padma Vibhushan award.