Padma Shri awards for Akshay, Ash and Helen

Yesteryears' dancing queen Helen, Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, action star Akshay Kumar and music maestro Hridyanath Mangeshkar are among those named for this year's Padma Shri awards.

The inimitable Helen, 69, carved a niche for herself with her dancing skills in songs like "Mera naam chin chin choo", "O haseena zulfon wali", "Aaa jaane jaan", "Piya tu ab to aa ja", "Yeh mera dil pyaar ka deewana" and "Mehbooba mehbooba". According to critics, she sizzled but was never vulgar.

Aishwarya, 35, entered filmdom after winning the prestigious Miss World crown in 1994, and delivered hits like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", "Devdas", "Taal" and "Guru". She also earned critical acclaim for her performances in films like "Chokher Bali", "Raincoat" and "Jodhaa Akbar".

Aishwarya is a regular at the Cannes Film Festival since 2002, and was a member of the Jury at Cannes in 2003. She has been associated with several Hollywood projects, including “Pink Panther 2”.

Akshay Kumar, 41, who churned out the biggest hit of 2008 “Singh Is Kinng”, has established himself as an action hero. He has hits like “Khiladi”, “Mohra”, “Main Khiladi Tu Anari” to his credit. The versatile actor proved his mettle in romantic dramas like “Dhadkan”, “Dil To Paagal Hai” (guest appearance), “Aitraaz” as well as comedies that include box office winners like “Hera Pheri”, “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”, “Garam Masala” and “Namastey London”.

Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, 71, the younger brother of singing legend Lata Magheshkar, is known for composing soulful tunes in Marathi films - “Sansar”, “Jait Re Jait”, “Umbartha” and “Nivdung”.

He has also composed music for Hindi movies, “Lekin”, “Maya Memsaab”, “Mashaal” - to name a few.

Others from the entertainment world named for the Padma Shri include ghazal singer Penaz Masani and playback singer Udit Narayan.

Veteran broadcaster Ameen Sayani, who has mesmerised old and young alike for decades with his golden voice, has also been conferred with the Padma Shri in recognition of his contribution in the field of broadcasting.
One of the most popular announcers of All India Radio (AIR), Sayani, 77, became a household name with his signature "behno aur bhaiyo" catchphrase in musical programmes like "Geetmala".

Sayani has immensely contributed in the development of commercial broadcasting in India.

According to the Limca Book Of Records 2005, he has presented over 54,000 radio programmes and around 19,000 commercial spots and jingles, making waves in the radio world of India, Sri Lanka, the US, Canada, Britain, UAE and New Zealand.

His legendary countdown began on Radio Ceylon and continued over AIR's Vividh Bharati for almost 46 years.

He has also produced and presented film personality interviews, plays and skits, musical features, quiz shows, career guidance and AIDS awareness programmes, feature film promotional trailers, etc.

Sayani was also a part of various movies like "Bhoot Bangla", "Teen Devian", "Boxer", "Qatl". He appeared in these movies in the role of an announcer.