Aamir, Ilayaraja, Viru among Padma awardees

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is understood to have been selected for the "Padma Bhushan" award on the occasion of 60th Republic Day.

Cricketer Virendra Sehwag has been chosen for the "Padma Sri" awards along with yesteryear Bollywood diva Rekha and actor Saif Ali Khan.

Highly-placed sources said that eminent theatre and film personality Johra Sehgal is also likely to be given "Padma Sri".

44-year-old Khan, who made his directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed "Taare Zameen Par" in 2007, recently came out with "3 Idiots" that has become the highest-earning movie in Bollywood.

Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Apollo hospital chief Prathap Chandra Reddy and former RBI Governor Y Venugopal Reddy named for Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honours.

Noted cadiac surgeon Dr Ramakant Panda is chosen for Padma Bhushan.

Ms Anu Aga, hockey national Ignace Tirkey, Formula 1 driver Narayan Karthikeyan, Badminton star Saina Nehwal and Sachin Tendulkar's guru Ramakant Achrekar named in the Padmashri list.

Padma Shri for 6 sportspersons

Six sportspersons got Padma Shri in the Republic Day honours list announced by the government Monday.

The winners were Ignace Tirkey (hockey), Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan (motor sports), Ramakant Vithal Achrekar (cricket), Saina Nehwal (badminton), Vijender Singh (boxing) and Virender Sehwag (cricket).