Ilaiyaraaja to be Honored with Padmapani Award at AIFF 2026

Iconic music composer Ilaiyaraaja will receive the Padmapani Award at the 2026 Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, recognizing his impressive contributions over five decades. The festival, featuring nearly 70 films, will run from January 28 to February 4, 2026, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Iconic music composer Ilaiyaraaja is set to be honored with the prestigious Padmapani Award at the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026, organizers have announced.

The festival is scheduled from January 28 to February 4 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with the award presentation occurring during the opening ceremony on January 28. The event will be attended by national and international artists, along with eminent personalities from various fields.

A committee led by film critic Latika Padgaonkar, and including filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni, selected Ilaiyaraaja for this accolade. He will receive a Padmapani Memento, a letter of honor, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, joining past recipients such as Javed Akhtar and Om Puri. The festival will showcase nearly 70 films over its eight-day run.

(With inputs from agencies.)