/> Rishi Kapoor could barely contain his joy and excitement at his uncle Shashi Kapoor being conferred with the Padma Bhushan.

Says Rishi caustically, "Chalo Khariyat hai, Kapoors ko government ne recognize kiya. Believe it or not no Kapoor has got a national or government-level in the last three decades.

My eldest uncle Raj Kapoor Saab was conferred the Padma Bhushan way back in 1971.That's it.

This is the first time since then that the government has recognized the presence of the Kapoors in the entertainment industry.What a feeling, all the senior Kapoors my grandfather Prthiviraj, my father Raj and now Shashi Kapoor are Padma Bhushans."

However Rishi misses his other uncle Shammi Kapoor in the list, "It would have given me even more pleasure to see both my uncles Shammi and Shashi Kapoor receiving the honour.Certainly Shammi Kapoor's contribution to Indian cinema cannot be overlooked."

Shashi Kapoor is now out of the hospital and home and recovering. But will he able to make it to receive his Padma Bhushan? Says Rishi, "Yes, he's home. But he's not too well. There are health complications.He is being looked after. We all very proud of the honour.And we'd like to be with him in Delhi when the President gives him the Padma."

Waheeda Rehman who has been awarded the Padma Bhushan seemed more concerned about Shashi Kapoor than pleased about her own honour.

Said Waheedaji, "Shashi has won. I'm so happy. I do hope he'll be able to be in Delhi to receive the award.I had gone to see him in hospital when he was there. As for me I am of course very very happy.

Even God likes to be praised and to be recognized. I'm only a mortal. So I'm so pleased that the government of India has recognized me. I hope to do a lot more work."

The actress who shuttles between Mumbai and Bangalore is currently in Bangalore. "By sheer coincidence tomorrow Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is celebrating 5 years of Rang De Basanti. He and his wife Bharathi were very keen that I be there. But I've some work in Bangalore.I can't be there. But I feel the warmth and joy in my Padma from Mumbai all the way here."

Irrfan Khan who is in New York shooting for Spiderman was joyous on hearing the news of being awarded the Padma Sri. "It's a great feeling to know that now 'Sri ' precedes one's name. It confirms one's hard work has a long reach. It's a great independence day for me gift. Jai Hind!