Rama Naidu, Bapu Win Padma Awards

Movie Mogul D Rama Naidu, ace director Bapu, and actress Sridevi were among those who received the prestigious Padma Awards at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan here today.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde were present at the function.

Rama Naidu, who won the Padma Bhushan award in the Arts category, has been a popular producer, and his banner Suresh Productions has produced many hit movies in various Indian languages.

After receiving the Award, he said that he was happy to receive the Award. "The film industry has given me everything. I will spend everything I earn on the industry," he said.

Bapu, a popular director whose recent venture Sri Rama Rajyam received rave reviews, was given the Padma Sri Award. Bapu has a special style of narration, and his artistic acumen is seen in every frame of his films.

Popular singer S Janaki, who also received the Padma Bhushan, rejected the Award.

Prominent among those who received the award include, Jaspal Bhatti, and Rajesh Khanna, the latter of whom got the award posthumously. Sharmila Tagore was also awarded the Padma Bhushan.

The other laureates from the state include Gajam Anjaiah (Art), Sridevi Kapoor (Art), Surabhi Babji (Art), Dr M Ramkrishnam Raju (Science and Engineering), Dr Jayaraman Gowrishankar (Science and Engineering), and Dr Radhika Herzberger (Literature and Education). (INN)