Veteran actors Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi and filmmaker of international repute Mira Nair were named for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian honour. On the eve of India’s 63rd Republic Day, the President has announced the winners of the Padma Awards.

Several Bollywood celebrities figure in the list of those awarded for their contribution to Indian cinema. Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra and Mira Nair were awarded the Padma Bhushan for their work in the field of cinema. The three have been chosen in the art-cinema category.

As one of the few actresses who have successfully featured in experimental and mainstream cinema, Shabana, who received the Padma Shri in 1988, will now be honoured with the Padma Bhushan. A five-time National Award winner, she has proved her mettle in films like "Ankur", "Nishant", "Arth", "Masoom", "Godmother" and "Fire" as well as in movies like "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", "Sorry Bhai!" and "It's A Wonderful Afterlife". She has also dabbled in international films, and done her bit for social work as well.

US-based Mira has found international recognition with films like "Salaam Bombay", "Monsoon Wedding", "Vanity Fair", "The Namesake" and "Amelia". The National award-winning filmmaker is currently busy with "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", which is based on a book of the same name. Nair's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" also features Shabana in a pivotal role.