The hit onscreen couple of the 70s — Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore — may ‘return’ to share some space  again. Top government sources told HT that Khanna's name has received strong recommendation from several quarters for Padma Vibhushan — the second highest civilian honour in India, while Tagore's name is being considered for Padma Bhushan award.

The list of the recipients of this year's Padma awards will be announced on Friday — the eve of the Republic Day.

Khanna, Hindi film's first superstar and former Congress MP, died in July after prolonged illness. Although posthumous Padma awards are not very common, the government may confer him Padma Vibhushan.

Khanna and Tagore's possible nominations also come at a time when the country is celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema in 2013. Apart from them, Ramesh Sippy, the director of several blockbusters, including Sholay, may also get a Padma award.

This year, the selection committee also included actor Ratna Pathak Shah and scientist Anil Kakodkar apart from cabinet secretary Ajit Seth, principal secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterjee and Union home secretary RK Singh.

Fashion designer Ritu Kumar, Olympian Vijay Kumar and veteran marathon runner Fauza Singh may also bag Padma awards.