Padma Bhushan for Kaka, Sharmila Tagore

New Delhi: The first superstar of Indian cinema Rajesh Khanna, comedian Jaspal Bhatti and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore have been posthumously named for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian honour on the 64th Republic Day.

Rajesh Khanna, fondly known as Kaka in the film fraternity, began his career with 'Aakhri Khat' in 1966 and in a career spanning five decades, he became a superstar like no other with hits like 'Aradhana', 'Do Raaste', 'Safar' and 'Anand'.

He passed away in July last year following prolonged illness, at the age of 69.

The great-grandniece of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Sharmila Tagore's tryst with movies began with Bengali film 'Apur Sansar' in 1959.

The 68-year-old's body of work boasts of successes like 'An Evening In Paris', 'Aradhana', 'Amar Prem', 'Mausam' and 'Chupke Chupke'. She is said to be one of the foremost Bollywood ladies who flaunted a bikini on screen in 'An Evening In Paris'.

Jaspal Bhatti, said to be the most popular Sikh comedian, carved a niche for himself with 'Ulta-Pulta', which was regularly telecast on Doordarshan.

Jaspal Bhatti, the quintessential entertainer, passed away after a road accident in October. He was 57.