Mammootty received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India, by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 23 June 2026. At the ceremony, the ceremony was opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, and Home Minister Amit Shah in the presence of Mammootty. Mammootty and his wife Sulfath, daughter Surumi, and son Dulquer Salmaan accepted the honour with humility and gratitude.
The Padma Bhushan celebrates exceptional service of high order, and Mammootty’s contribution to Indian cinema for over 50 years makes him a perfect recipient of this award. With more than 400 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, he has shaped the cultural landscape of Indian cinema.
His versatility has been shown in such classic films as Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Mathilukal, Thaniyavarthanam, Vidheyan, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Amaram, Peranbu, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Kaathal - The Core, and Thalapathi. He has won three National Film Awards, many Kerala State Film Awards, and several Filmfare Awards South.
Mammootty expressed his gratitude to the Government of India and his fans on social media saying: “Deeply humbled and honored to be conferred with the Padma Bhushan.
My sincere gratitude to the Government of India for this prestigious recognition. This honor is a reflection of a five-decade-long journey that wouldn’t exist without my incredible audience.” He dedicated the award to cinema itself, which has helped him to stay in the game.
This is an important award for Malayalam cinema at a time when it is receiving attention worldwide in the film industry; Mammootty’s award also signals the growth of the industry.
Patriot with Mohanlal and a cameo in Chatha Pacha show that he is still relevant and adaptable. The Padma Bhushan not only celebrates his individual achievements but also makes Malayalam cinema a national actor on the national stage.
Mammootty’s honour was part of the 2026 Padma Awards ceremony, which also honored playback singer Alka Yagnik with the Padma Bhushan and actor R. Madhavan with the Padma Shri. They stand as an example of the contributions of artists from multiple cultures in India.
