Film actress Raveena Tandon bags Padma Shri

The government of India has announced the Padma Awards for this year on January 2, ahead of 74th Republic Day. Actress Raveena Tandon is the lone actor to be conferred with Padma Shri this year. She is one among the 106 recipients of this the third-highest civilian award in India this year.

The news came a day after Raveena was chosen as a delegate at the W20, which is the Women's Empowerment engagement wing at G20 India's Presidency. The actress responded to the news by declaring that she would dedicate the award to her late father Ravi Tandon.

Ravi Tandon was an Indian film director and producer. He also worked as an assistant director and story writer. Ravi passed away on February 11, 2022.

Padma Awards are the highest civilian honour of the country. They are divided in three categories, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given for contribution in various fields of activities like social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and arts. Raveena Tandon has been selected for Padma Shri in the field of art.

RRR's music composer MM Keeravaani and singers Suman Kalyanpur and Vani Jairam are also among this year's Padma Shri awardees.

Meanwhile, tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and singer Vani Jairam have been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, respectively.