South film industry legends honoured with Padma Bhushan
These legends have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and their recognition with the Padma Bhushan is a testament to their remarkable contributions.
Hyderabad: The prestigious Padma Bhushan has been awarded to four iconic figures from the South Indian film industry, recognising their outstanding contributions to cinema and the arts.
Nandamuri Balakrishna (Tollywood, Telugu)
Son of the legendary Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, Balakrishna began his career as a child artist at the age of 14 and went on to star in over 100 films. Known for his powerful dialogue delivery, he has garnered a massive fan base. His notable films include Samarasimha Reddy, Bhairava Dweepam, Daana Veera Soora Karna, Aditya 369 and Vemulavada Bheemakavi.
Beyond acting, Balakrishna serves as the Chairman of Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital, named after his late mother and is an elected MLA from the Hindupuram constituency in Andhra Pradesh.
Married to Vasundhara Devi, he has three children: Nara Brahmani, Nandamuri Tejaswini and Mokshagna Teja, who is preparing for his acting debut.
Ajith Kumar (Kollywood, Tamil)
Ajith Kumar, a Tamil actor, overcame early struggles and a career marred by injuries to become one of Kollywood’s most beloved stars. His acting journey began with Amaravathi and soared with hits like Viswasam, Billa, Varalaru and Ullaasam. Despite his tenth-grade dropout status, Ajith pursued modeling and racing, eventually competing in international arenas, including the FIA Championships and securing third place in the 24H Dubai 2025 event.
On the personal front, he is married to actress Shalini and has two children.
Shobhana Chandrakumar Pillai (Mollywood, Kerala)
Shobhana is an acclaimed actress and Bharatanatyam dancer who has appeared in over 230 films across Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. Known for her versatility, she has delivered memorable performances in films like Rudraveena, Thalapathi, Hitler, Ajeyudu and Kalki 2898 AD.
A Padma Shri recipient, Shobhana has been celebrated for her contributions to the arts and continues to inspire with her dedication to cinema and dance.
Ananth Nag (Sandalwood, Kannada)
A veteran of over 300 films, Ananth Nag is known for his work in Kannada cinema as well as other languages, including Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and English. His debut film Sankalpa earned multiple state awards, and he is fondly remembered for his role in the iconic TV series Malgudi Days.
His Notable films include KGF: Chapter 1 & 2, Balu, Bheeshma and Gaalipata 2. A six-time Filmfare Award South winner, Ananth Nag continues to be a celebrated figure in Indian cinema.
These legends have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and their recognition with the Padma Bhushan is a testament to their remarkable contributions.
