The Padma Awards 2024 were announced on January 25. Vyjayanthimala Bala was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian award. Veteran actor Saira Banu has congratulated and lauded her in a recent interview with ETimes.
She said, "I am so happy about this... the award is truly well deserved... I have grown up watching her films and she is 'akka (elder sister)' to me." Vyjayanthimala has worked with Dilip Kumar in so many films starring with Bimal Roy's Devdas (1955).
Actor Mithun Chakraborty and singer Usha Uthup received the third-highest honour – the Padma Bhushan. Mithun Chakraborty's son Mimoh Chakraborty also expressed his happiness over the actor's achievement and said, "I have no words to describe this feeling of euphoria and joy. It is such an honour to feel this moment of pride... Dad is truly deserving of this award and I am so grateful to our government and institutions for honouring dad with this prestigious award. I am so grateful and full of joy right now. Touchwood."
Telugu actor Chiranjeevi was also honoured with the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, on the eve of Republic Day.
The Padma Awards are one of India's highest civilian awards that honour people in arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service, and public affairs.