Padma Shri is one of India’s highest awards and honours and recognises people who have performed exceptionally well in their respective fields. India’s film industry has greatly benefited from the presence of talented women, which is evident in the depth of emotion, growth, and global recognition that it enjoys today. Be it legendary actresses, amazing singers, or dancers, women have left indelible marks with their immense talent. In this article, we are listing nine outstanding female artists awarded the Padma Shri for Indian Cinema.

9 Legendary Female Padma Shri Awardees in Indian Cinema

Here are nine female artists who have received the Padma Shri for their contribution to Indian cinema.

Nargis Dutt

Rated among the most legendary actresses of Indian movies, the Mother India actress became the first recipient of the Padma Shri award in 1958 in recognition of her significant contributions to Hindi movies.

Lata Mangeshkar

The famous ‘Nightingale of India’ sang thousands of songs in different Indian languages and earned the Padma Shri at the beginning of her career, followed by other national awards like the Bharat Ratna.

Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle, who has achieved fame for her remarkable range of vocals, was awarded the Padma Shri for her artistic excellence in playback singing for over five decades in Indian films.

Waheeda Rehman

Renowned for her elegant performance in classics such as Guide and Pyaasa, this veteran actress won the Padma Shri for her role in creating the golden era of acting in Indian cinema.

Asha Parekh

An extremely successful actor and the former head of CBFC, Asha Parekh has been honoured with the Padma Shri award for her varied contributions to cinema as an actress, director, and industry personality.

Sridevi

Deservedly called the first lady superstar of Indian movies, Sridevi mesmerised moviegoers in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada languages with her illustrious career.

Kangana Ranaut

Renowned for her groundbreaking characters of women in movies like Queen and Manikarnika, Kangana was honoured with the Padma Shri because of her contributions to modern-day Indian films.

Tabu

Tabu is one of the most versatile actors of contemporary Indian cinema, who was awarded the Padma Shri for her exceptional acting abilities on the silver screen.

Raveena Tandon

Having contributed immensely to Indian entertainment through her performances and social activism, Raveena Tandon received the Padma Shri award in recognition of her distinguished service to Hindi movies.

Conclusion

These pioneering women have made a name for themselves in the realm of Indian films, challenging the way women are represented in film and outside of it. Their Padma Shri awards are an inspiration to generations of artists to come in the Indian film industry.

Image credits: Instagram

To read more such stories, stay connected to Her Zindagi.