The recipients of the Padma Awards 2024 were conferred with coveted honour by President Droupadi Murmu at the event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 22. The posthumous Padma Bhushan honor intended for the late Tamil actor-politician Vijayakanth was not bestowed as anticipated. This certainly left the late actor’s devoted fans upset, and a few netizens alleged that there were political reasons for the delay.
Amidst the rumours, the awarding committee has announced that the Padma awards ceremony will be happening in 2 or 3 phases this year to manage time. Those who were missed, including the late Vijayakanth, will be honored in the subsequent phase. The date for the next phase of the Padma Awards will be announced soon.
Vijayakanth, who made his acting debut with the 1979 Tamil film 'Inikkum Ilamai', has acted in over 150 films in Tamil. Vijayakanth is an inspiration for budding actors. Vijayakanth, who was ill for the last few years, passed away on 28 December 2023 due to ill health.
Meanwhile, 3 Padma Vibhushan, 8 Padma Bhushan, and 55 Padma Shri awards were also presented at the function held on April 22.
Padma Awards are the highest awards given to Indian citizens by the Central Government.