Apart from Vidya Balan who was selected to receive the Padma Shri, actors Kamal Haasan and Paresh Rawal also feature in 2014’s list of the Padma awards.

While Kamal Haasan will receive the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, Paresh Rawal received the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award. Kamal Haasan, who has done a host of films such as Moondaram Pirai and Hey Ram, said, “Proud to be an Indian. India is a country with great talents in various many fields. While legions await to be honoured, I am honoured that I have been chosen for Padma Bhushan by my government. I think it is sheer chance and my good fortune that I have been chosen. I hope that I would live long to do more to deserve this award. I don’t consider this an honour for work that I have already done. This would be an impetus for me to do more good work, perhaps only then would I deserve it. My heartfelt congratulations for the other Padma Bhushan awardees especially my friend Mr Vairamuthu.”

The awards are conferred by the President of India at a function that will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan around March or April.