"Ajith Kumar Honored with Padma Bhushan: A Milestone in His Iconic Career"

Ajith Kumar Conferred with Padma Bhushan, India's Prestigious Civilian Honour

Ajith Kumar has been bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award. He is among the 19 distinguished recipients of this revered accolade.

Reacting to the monumental announcement, the actor issued a statement, expressing his heartfelt appreciation."I am deeply honored and grateful to accept the distinguished Padma Award from the President of India.  My deepest gratitude goes to the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for this prestigious recognition. It is a great honour to be acknowledged on this level, and I am genuinely thankful for this gracious acknowledgment of my contributions to the nation. Simultaneously, I am acutely aware that this recognition extends beyond personal merit and reflects the collective efforts and unwavering support of many."

Ajith expressed gratitude toward his family and friends, sharing how he wished his late father could have experienced this significant occasion. "I wish my late father were here to witness this momentous day. Still, I like to believe that he would be proud to see that his values and legacy endure through all that I pursue. I want to extend my thanks to my mother for her unconditional love and the sacrifices she made that allowed me to reach my potential."

The actor also conveyed his appreciation to his wife, actress Shalini, acknowledging her unwavering support as a cornerstone of his success. "To Shalini, my beloved wife and partner of nearly 25 incredible years: Your companionship has been a source of immense joy and a foundation of my achievements. To my children, Anoushka and Aadvik: You are my pride and guiding light, inspiring me to lead by example and live with integrity."

A Trailblazing Career in Cinema
Ajith Kumar has appeared in over 60 films over a career spanning more than three decades. He began his cinematic journey with a minor role in the 1990 movie En Veedu En Kanavar, later making his lead debut in the 1993 film Amaravathi.

Initially known for his romantic roles, Ajith transitioned into a dynamic action hero with films such as Amarkalam, Dheena, and Citizen. Blockbusters like Varalaaru, Billa, and Mankatha further cemented his position as one of Tamil cinema's most prominent stars. A recipient of the Kalaimamani Award, Ajith has also won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for his outstanding performances.

Recognitions Beyond Cinema
Along with Ajith, film producer and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna and acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur were also honoured with the Padma Bhushan. Renowned Malayalam author and screenwriter M.T. Vasudevan Nair, who passed away last year at the age of 91, was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan.