Dimple Kapadia collects Padma Bhushan award of Rajesh Khanna

MUMBAI: India‘s first superstar Rajesh Khanna was posthumously awarded Padma Bhushan, India‘s third-highest civilian award this morning.

The award was collected on his behalf by his wife Dimple Kapadia.

Khanna died on 18 July last year.

Padma Bhushan award was also posthumously conferred upon comedian Jaspal Bhatti, who expired last October.

Among others who received awards were industrialist Adi Godrej and artist S H Raza received his Padma Vibhushan, India‘s second-highest civilian award.

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, shooter Vijay Kumar, Sholay director Ramesh Sippy and actor Nana Patekar received the Padma Shri. Meanwhile, Boxer Mary Kom was awarded the Padma Bhushan but was not present at the ceremony to collect it.

The awards were handed out by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The first batch of awards were handed out on 5 April when actresses Sharmila Tagore and Sridevi along with cricketer Rahul Dravid collected their awards.