"I wish he had won the award earlier...": Anil Sharma on Dharmendra's Padma Vibhushan honour

Speaking to ANI, he said, "I remember him a lot. I even tweeted yesterday. I wish he had won the award earlier. He would have been very happy. He would have accepted the award. But Dharamji's ek legend hai aur kuch legends aese ho jaate hai jo awards aur titles ke upar ho jaate hai..(Few legends are above awards and titles)...Dharmendra apne aap mein hona ek award hai.."

On January 26, Sharma wrote on X, "Heartfelt congratulations to every admirer of @aapkadharam ji on his #PadmaVibhushan. One only wishes this honour had come earlier, when he could have accepted it himself... the joy would have been immeasurable. Yet the truth remains... some legacies rise above awards. The love, respect, and admiration Dharam ji received from generations is far greater than any title, medal or any award"

https://x.com/Anilsharma_dir/status/2015812406396813334?s=20

Legendary star Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025, has been conferred with Padma Vibhushan posthumously. On the eve of Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) unveiled the official list of Padma awardees for 2026. The prestigious civilian honours recognise individuals from diverse fields, including arts, literature, social service, medicine, education and public service, for their excellence, dedication and long-term contribution to society.

Dharmendra was honoured with several accolades, including the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

The 'Gadar' director added that he deserves the Dadasaheb Phalke Award also, "Vo Dadasaheb Phalke Award bhi deserve karte hai and Bharat Ratna also..ye awards unke rehte milte to aur acha hota (It would have been really great if he had received these awards while he was alive."

Dharmendra, widely regarded as one of the most iconic actors of his time, made his mark in Hindi cinema with memorable performances in films like 'Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke', 'Sholay', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Ayee Milan Ki Bela', and 'Anupama', among others. He was known not only for his versatility on screen but also for his contributions to the film industry and for inspiring millions of fans worldwide.

His journey stands as a testament to enduring talent and unwavering dedication. Notably, he was never confined to a single genre, achieving a rare balance of mass appeal by excelling in romance, action, comedy and social drama, a versatility that made him one of the most commercially successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. His last film, 'Ikkis', was released on December 25. (ANI)