Renowned filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda and popular Koshali poet Haladhar Nag from Odisha received the Padmashree award on Monday at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to Panda and Nag for their distinguished service in film direction and literature and education fields, respectively.
Panda, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker and producer, shot to fame with the film I am Kalam, which has won 32 International awards, and a national award. His second feature film Jalpari about gender equality was also well-received by audience.