Veteran actor Anil Rastogi, 82, has been awarded the Padma Shri, the Government of India's fourth highest civilian honor, for his contributions to art. Rastogi, a retired scientist, credits his background in science for his success in character development.
Having acted for 61 years, Rastogi's career spans over 70 films, 12 OTT series, and 500 TV episodes, in addition to completing his 100th play. He is known for his roles in Ishaqzaade (2012), Mukti Bhawan, and Ashram. He will be working on a Prakash Jha film next.
"It's a matter of great satisfaction and honour for me," Rastogi said of the Padma Shri. "I have sailed on two boats—science and art—and fortunately succeeded in both". He is a fellow at both the National Academy of Sciences and the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy. "So, getting the Padma Shri gives me fuel to work harder," he added.
Rastogi earned a doctorate in microbiology before retiring in 2003 as Head of Biochemistry and Directors Grade Scientist from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) where he joined in 1962. He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of India.
Rastogi's association with theatre began in 1962. He has participated in over 1000 shows of 98 plays in Hindi and other languages throughout India. For over 46 years, he has been the secretary/ general secretary of Darpan, an amateur theatre group.
The Padma Awards 2026 include five Padma Vibhushan, thirteen Padma Bhushan, and one hundred thirteen Padma Shri Awards. Nineteen of the awardees are women, and the list includes six individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category and sixteen posthumous awardees. The awards recognize achievements in diverse fields such as art, social work, public affairs, medicine, science and engineering, literature and education, sports, trade and industry, and civil services. The awards are conferred by the President of India in March or April at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Other Padma Shri recipients this year include A.E. Muthunayagam (Science and Engineering, Kerala), Anke Gowda M. (Social Work, Karnataka), and Armida Fernandez (Medicine, Maharashtra).
