Veteran Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna was honored with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award on April 28, 2025, by the President of India, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. The moment marked a significant milestone in Balakrishna’s career, as he expressed heartfelt gratitude and emotion over the honor.
Taking to his official Facebook handle, Balakrishna—fondly known as NBK—shared a moving note with his fans. Reflecting on the recognition, he said, “It is a blessing to serve the world of cinema and to walk on the path laid down by my legendary father, Shri Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao Garu.”
The actor, who comes from one of Telugu cinema’s most iconic families, added that he accepts the award with humility and dedicates it to dreamers across the nation who believe in hard work, values, and service to society. He also extended his heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, his fans, family, and well-wishers for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Balakrishna’s emotional tribute to his late father, NTR—a revered actor and politician—struck a chord with fans across generations. The post quickly went viral, with fans and fellow celebrities pouring in messages of congratulations and admiration.
Earlier in January 2025, it was announced that NBK would be one of the recipients of the Padma Awards this year. Others honored alongside him include Ajith Kumar, Arijit Singh, and several other celebrated personalities from diverse fields.
On the Work Front:
Balakrishna was last seen in the action-packed Daaku Maharaaj, directed by Bobby Kolli. The film, released on January 12, 2025, portrayed NBK as Sitaram, a former IES officer turned savior, fighting against rural oppression. Featuring an ensemble cast including Pragya Jaiswal, Shraddha Srinath, Sachin Khedekar, and Urvashi Rautela, the film performed well at the box office and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Balakrishna is now filming Akhanda 2, reuniting with director Boyapati Srinu, continuing their successful cinematic partnership.