Blab Entertainment
Prime Minister Modi Meets Malayalam Icon Mammootty After Padma Bhushan Investiture
On 23 June 2026, after the President’s residence hosted the Padma Awards ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped out of Rashtrapati Bhavan to greet veteran actor Mammootty and his family. The meeting came just hours after the Malayalam star received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third‑highest civilian honour, for his lifelong contributions to cinema.
The ceremony, which unfolded inside the President’s palace, was attended by Mammootty’s wife, Sulfath Kutty, his son Dulquer Salmaan, Dulquer’s wife Amal Sufiya, and the actor’s daughter Surumi. Modi shared a handful of photographs on his Instagram account, captioning them simply that he had met the actor and his family earlier that day.
Padma Awards 2026 were announced on Republic Day, listing 131 recipients: five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. In addition to Mammootty, the 26 January announcement highlighted playback singer Alka Yagnik’s Padma Bhushan and actor‑filmmaker R Madhavan’s Padma Shri.
Mammootty, born 7 September 1951, began his career with a credited role in the 1980 Malayalam film Vilkkanundu Swapnangal. He rose to prominence with Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu (1983) and has since appeared in more than 400 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English. The actor has earned multiple National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South and Kerala State Film Awards. He was first honoured with the Padma Shri in 1998 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
The Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee appointed by the Prime Minister. The committee receives nominations from state and union‑territory governments, ministries, former awardees and private individuals. The final list is approved by the President and announced on 26 January, Republic Day.
Alka Yagnik, who has been battling hearing loss since 2024, was assisted to the stage by an usher during her investiture. Prior to receiving her award, she greeted the President, seated in the front row, and sought his blessings by touching his feet.
R Madhavan, a prominent actor‑filmmaker, shared a brief moment with Modi before stepping onto the stage to receive his Padma Shri.
The 2026 Padma Awards reflect the government’s effort to recognise a broad spectrum of contributors to Indian society, spanning science, arts, public service and culture. The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the President, Vice‑President and several senior ministers.
Mammootty’s meeting with Modi underscores the continued prominence of Malayalam cinema in the national cultural landscape. The actor’s career, which spans more than four decades, has seen him collaborate with leading directors and actors across South Indian and Hindi film industries.
The Padma Awards ceremony concluded with the President presenting the medals to the recipients. The event was televised by national broadcasters and streamed live on the President’s official website.
The meeting between Modi and Mammootty, captured in the photographs posted on social media, was a brief but symbolic gesture of recognition. No further statements were issued by either party regarding the interaction.
The Padma Awards 2026 list remains the most comprehensive record of the year’s civilian honours. The recipients’ contributions span a wide range of fields, and the awards serve as a reminder of the diverse talents that shape India’s cultural and social fabric.
The ceremony’s focus on arts and culture, coupled with the presence of high‑profile recipients such as Mammootty, Alka Yagnik and R Madhavan, highlights the importance placed on creative industries in the national agenda.
The Padma Awards continue to be a significant event each year, drawing attention to individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on Indian society. The 2026 ceremony, with its mix of established and emerging talents, reflects the evolving landscape of Indian arts and culture.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Mammootty, along with the broader Padma Awards ceremony, will be remembered as part of the 2026 celebration of India’s civilian honours.
The ceremony, which unfolded inside the President’s palace, was attended by Mammootty’s wife, Sulfath Kutty, his son Dulquer Salmaan, Dulquer’s wife Amal Sufiya, and the actor’s daughter Surumi. Modi shared a handful of photographs on his Instagram account, captioning them simply that he had met the actor and his family earlier that day.
Padma Awards 2026 were announced on Republic Day, listing 131 recipients: five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. In addition to Mammootty, the 26 January announcement highlighted playback singer Alka Yagnik’s Padma Bhushan and actor‑filmmaker R Madhavan’s Padma Shri.
Mammootty, born 7 September 1951, began his career with a credited role in the 1980 Malayalam film Vilkkanundu Swapnangal. He rose to prominence with Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu (1983) and has since appeared in more than 400 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English. The actor has earned multiple National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards South and Kerala State Film Awards. He was first honoured with the Padma Shri in 1998 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
The Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee appointed by the Prime Minister. The committee receives nominations from state and union‑territory governments, ministries, former awardees and private individuals. The final list is approved by the President and announced on 26 January, Republic Day.
Alka Yagnik, who has been battling hearing loss since 2024, was assisted to the stage by an usher during her investiture. Prior to receiving her award, she greeted the President, seated in the front row, and sought his blessings by touching his feet.
R Madhavan, a prominent actor‑filmmaker, shared a brief moment with Modi before stepping onto the stage to receive his Padma Shri.
The 2026 Padma Awards reflect the government’s effort to recognise a broad spectrum of contributors to Indian society, spanning science, arts, public service and culture. The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the President, Vice‑President and several senior ministers.
Mammootty’s meeting with Modi underscores the continued prominence of Malayalam cinema in the national cultural landscape. The actor’s career, which spans more than four decades, has seen him collaborate with leading directors and actors across South Indian and Hindi film industries.
The Padma Awards ceremony concluded with the President presenting the medals to the recipients. The event was televised by national broadcasters and streamed live on the President’s official website.
The meeting between Modi and Mammootty, captured in the photographs posted on social media, was a brief but symbolic gesture of recognition. No further statements were issued by either party regarding the interaction.
The Padma Awards 2026 list remains the most comprehensive record of the year’s civilian honours. The recipients’ contributions span a wide range of fields, and the awards serve as a reminder of the diverse talents that shape India’s cultural and social fabric.
The ceremony’s focus on arts and culture, coupled with the presence of high‑profile recipients such as Mammootty, Alka Yagnik and R Madhavan, highlights the importance placed on creative industries in the national agenda.
The Padma Awards continue to be a significant event each year, drawing attention to individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on Indian society. The 2026 ceremony, with its mix of established and emerging talents, reflects the evolving landscape of Indian arts and culture.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Mammootty, along with the broader Padma Awards ceremony, will be remembered as part of the 2026 celebration of India’s civilian honours.
