Kangana Ranaut and Adnan Sami Khan awarded India's fourth highest civilian honours

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut and singer Adnan Sami Khan were among others awarded Padma Shri awards by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi on Monday. The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the country.

The Hindustan Times reported that they were among several honourees at the ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India's presidential residence.

“Sometimes you don't have words to express yourself. Thankful to government. Thankful to people, nothing is possible without them. I dedicate this to my father [and] mother. It's not only an honour but also a responsibility, which I'll try to carry out well,” said Khan, who gave up his Pakistani nationality to attain Indian citizenship.

Other recipients of the Padma Shri this year include producers Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor.

Ranaut took to Instagram to thank everyone for the award.

In a video, she said she has gone through a lot in her career and this award will shut up the people who have criticised her and questioned her 'activism' in the past.

In an interview with India Today TV, she commented on receiving the award with Johar, whom she has harshly criticised in the past for being a product of and perpetuating nepotism. “I heartily congratulate him. I think he totally deserves this award. As a producer, the kind of films he backs, whether it is Kesari or Good Newwz, are commendable, as is the position he has worked to achieve. Even though his father gave him a head start, he has risen to the top because of his own efforts and merits.”