On Republic Day, Tollywood glowed with pride as veteran actors Murali Mohan and Rajendra Prasad received the Padma Shri, joining five other luminaries from the Telugu states. Megastar Chiranjeevi made the moment even more special by visiting their homes in person. He draped them with traditional shawls, offered heartfelt congratulations, and hailed their national recognition as a milestone for Telugu cinema.
The trio’s warm exchanges brimmed with nostalgia and camaraderie, reflecting decades of shared screens and mutual respect. Chiranjeevi- himself a Padma Bhushan awardee in 2006 and a Padma Vibhushan recipient in 2024, described it as a truly joyous day for the industry.
He also shared public cheers on social media for the full list of awardees—from Mammootty and Madhavan to sports icons Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, plus Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori.
“Honouring such distinguished individuals brings great pride and joy… Sri Dharamji’s Padma Vibhushan, my dear @mammukka and Dr Dattatreyudu Nori garu’s Padma Bhushan are recognitions earned through decades of dedication, excellence and grace.
Very happy to see dear friends Murali Mohan, Rajendra Prasad, brother @ActorMadhavan, our champion @ImRo45 and World Cup-winning captain @ImHarmanpreet receive the Padma Shri.
My heartfelt congratulations to all the Padma Awardees of 2026 who have made notable contributions in the fields of arts, science, medicine, literature, and sports. 💐💐💐” he wrote.
This is a commendable development for the industry. Taking the initiative to meet and honor these individuals helps foster a healthy, collaborative atmosphere in Tollywood. As always, Chiranjeevi remains at the forefront of such positive gestures, reinforcing his role as a supportive elder figure who stands by the industry in every situation.
