Alka

The Padma Awards 2026 honoured leading Indian entertainment figures at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Dharmendra received a posthumous Padma Vibhushan, accepted by Hema Malini. Satish Shah was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri. Alka Yagnik, Mammootty, and R Madhavan were also honoured among 131 awardees across various fields.

This year's Padma Awards, India's highest civilian accolades, shone a spotlight on luminaries such as Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, and R. Madhavan. While the awards honor extraordinary contributions to society, they come without monetary rewards or travel benefits. Instead, winners are presented with a medallion and a certificate from the President, celebrating their impact on our cultural landscape and public life.

Former Congress MLA Alka Lamba has found herself at the center of controversy, as a Delhi court has convicted her in relation to the 2024 protest advocating for women's reservation at Jantar Mantar. Accusations of breaching prohibitory orders and hindering public officials led to her trial, to which Lamba staunchly contests the charges as fabricated.

India's Padma Awards 2026 will honour cinematic legends like the late Dharmendra with Padma Vibhushan, and Mammootty and Alka Yagnik with Padma Bhushan. R Madhavan, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Anil Kumar Rastogi, Arvind Vaidya, and the late Satish Shah are among the Padma Shri recipients, celebrating their significant contributions to arts and entertainment.

Hema Malini will accept the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, Dharmendra, for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. This prestigious award, India's second-highest civilian honour, will be presented at the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony. The recognition celebrates Dharmendra's remarkable legacy in the film industry.

In a poignant moment at the prestigious awards ceremony, Hema Malini graciously accepted the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her beloved late husband, Dharmendra, honoring his remarkable six-decade journey in cinema. The celebration also highlighted the talents of Satish Shah, who received a Padma Shri, and the melodious Alka Yagnik, awarded the Padma Bhushan.

For those born on May 21st, the upcoming year, influenced by Number 9, promises gradual career and financial improvement, though the first half may bring increased responsibilities and potential stress. Relationships will encourage emotional maturity and clarity, with existing bonds strengthening through patience. Health requires attention to emotional balance and rest, with improvements expected later in the year.

A disturbing illegal fertility trade is unfolding across India, involving exploited women, unlicensed clinics, and alleged medical malpractice. Investigations reveal a vast network engaged in unlawful egg donation, surrogate exploitation, and possible human trafficking, with vulnerable women repeatedly used and financial irregularities surfacing.

In this By Invitation column, author, art historian and curator Dr Alka Pande shares how the Indian art is experiencing a boom, with auction records being shattered for modern masters like Husain and Raza, fetching hundreds of crores. Despite global market caution, wealthy Indian collectors are driving demand, viewing art as a symbol of heritage and identity.

President Droupadi Murmu presented 66 Padma awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Violinist N Rajam received Padma Vibhushan. Actor Dharmendra was honored posthumously with Padma Vibhushan. Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee received Padma Shri. The ceremony recognized distinguished service in various fields. A total of 131 Padma awards were approved for 2026.

After nearly 14 years of 'Movers & Shakers', actor Shekhar Suman is back with his talk show.

After his post admitting he was once a bully went viral, Umar Hameed revisits childhood memories of body-shaming, sibling humiliation and classroom cruelty and asks why families and schools so often mistake emotional harm for harmless growing up

Anil Kapoor revealed on The Kapil Sharma Show that fans regularly send him photos of auto rickshaws featuring his 'Jhakaas' posters. Rajkummar Rao also shared a funny childhood memory of fighting over Anil's picture in rickshaws. The trio had appeared on the show to promote 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga'.

A new book by Sandeep Dahisarkar aims to revive interest in Rao Bahadur MV Dhurandhar, an early 20th-century artist from the Bombay School of Art. The 370-page volume highlights Dhurandhar's academic-realist style, his contribution to nationalist sentiment, and his depictions of Indian life and women. Experts emphasize his celebration of Indian traditions and his lasting influence on art education.

Sanjay Dutt's first look from 'Khalnayak Returns' has been unveiled, reigniting excitement for the sequel. During a 30th-anniversary screening of the original, director Subhash Ghai playfully teased Dutt about his focus on Madhuri Dixit, while Dutt shared a humorous anecdote about the iconic "Choli Ke Peeche" song shoot.

Shekhar Suman’s luxurious four-storey Victorian penthouse in Mumbai reflects his personality and memories, blending English design with personal touches. Farah Khan praised its London-like feel during a tour. From elegant interiors to a serene balcony, the home showcases warmth, design influence from wife Alka, and meaningful collectibles like an antique chessboard.

For Chin2 Bhosle, music goes far beyond legacy — it is rooted in deeply personal emotion and lived experience. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, the singer-composer opens up about his heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, legendary singer Asha Bhosle, the memories they shared, and the life lessons she left behind that continue to shape him. He revisits the song that once moved her to tears and recalls spontaneous moments of performing together on stage, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the person behind the legend.