Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman and Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and veteran actor Zohra Segal are among the prominent names from the entertainment industry to be chosen for this year's Padma awards.
44-year-old Aamir, who made his directorial debut with highly acclaimed "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007, is enjoying an unprecedented success with his recent blockbuster "3 Idiots", which has become the highest earning film in Bollywood.
While Rahman, 44, who became the first Indian to win double Oscars for "Slumdog Millionaire", is again in the race
for the coveted honour with his maiden Hollywood venture "Couples Retreat". Tamil song 'Na na', sung by Rahman's son
Alim, is in the Oscar shortlist this year.
Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilan honour, was also ruled by renowned faces from the world of arts. Eminent theatre and film personality Segal, founding director of National School of Drama (NSD) Ebrahim Alkazi and country's
topmost mridangam player Umayalpuram K Sivaraman are among those chosen for the honour.
Musician Ilaiyaraaja, who composed the hit numbers of Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Paa" recently, is also among those
selected for the Padma Bhushan.
Musician Ilaiyaraaja, who composed the hit numbers of Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Paa" recently, is also among those
selected for the Padma Bhushan.
Among those from the film industry who have been chosen for the Padma Sri include veteran actress Rekha, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, Academy Award-winning sound technician Resul Pokutty, TV and threate actress Arundhati Nag and Nemai Ghosh, who had done camera work for Satyajit Ray.