Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Oxford University at the Sheldonian Theatre in a ceremony attended by hundreds of students, academics, and Indian diaspora members. The University cited his six-decade career in Indian cinema, his role as a cultural ambassador, his work in public health campaigns including the polio eradication drive, and his contribution to popularising Indian arts globally as reasons for the honour. Bachchan, visibly moved, delivered a speech in both English and Hindi.
Bachchan called the recognition the most unexpected and humbling honour of his life and said it belongs to Indian cinema and to India itself. Prime Minister Modi led the congratulations, calling Bachchan a national institution who has shaped the dreams of generations. The honour comes as Bachchan celebrates his 82nd birthday year and marks the 50th anniversary of his iconic film Deewar. He becomes the first Indian actor to receive an honorary doctorate from Oxford and joins luminaries including Nelson Mandela and Stephen Hawking as Oxford honorary degree recipients.