Padma Shri to Karan Johar, Kangana Ranaut, Ekta Kapoor and Adnan Sami
New Delhi : Filmmaker Karan Johar and actress Kangana Ranaut are among the six prominent names from film fraternity who have been awarded with the prestigious Padma Shri award, officials said on Saturday.
Singers Suresh Wadkar and Adnan Sami as well as veteran TV actor Sarita Joshi have also been conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour of the country.
Responding to the news, Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor said that they are overwhelmed to hear about it.
"Overwhelmed by so many emotions right now. Humbled, elated and also thankful for the opportunity to live my dream everyday, to create and to entertain. I know my father would be proud and I wish he was here to share this moment with me," Karan Johar said in a statement posted on Twitter.
"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," Ekta Kapoor said.
"Today, as l'm conferred with the 4th highest civilian honour- Padma Shri'', I''m humbled. I hope to continue breaking boundaries, to continue giving young talent a chance and to strive to give back to the country for all the love that''s come my way. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, as this news arrives 2 days before my son''s first birthday. Grateful & Thankful!" she added.
Three-time National Award winner Kangana Ranaut is the only Bollywood actor who has been awarded Padma Shri this year.
"The greatest moment for any Artiste is to be appreciated & recognised by his/her government. I am overwhelmed with infinite gratitude for being honoured with the ''Padma Shri'' by the Government of India. It has been a 34 years musical journey.. ''Bohot Shukriya''!!" Adnan Sami tweeted.
78-year-old Sarita Joshi was also awarded with the award.
"I am very happy and humbled with this honour. I am working from an early age, I have never worked for awards, for me work is worship. I have always worked from heart and given my best in whatever I have done. I will be known as Padma Shri Sarita Joshi, this is such a big honour. I am happy as my children are happy," Sarita Joshi told PTI.
The Padma Shri for this year has been awarded to a total of 118 eminent personalities across fields of art, literature and education, medicine, trade and industry, sports, public affairs, social work and science and engineering.
