INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - JULY 2006
THE MONTH THAT WAS...

BIG B IS NOW DR BACHCHAN

THAT the Big B has had more than just a brief dalliance with political art is common knowledge, but now India 's greatest superstar is moving into the distinguished realm of academic honours. 64-year-old Amitabh Bachchan was conferred an honourary doctorate in arts by De Montfort University, UK. Not quite the Legion de Honeur, the sceptic might argue, but then the last person to get such a recognition from the University was a certain Nelson Mandela. That's certainly iconic company to keep, and Mr Bachchan seemed suitably impressed. “I am deeply humbled by this recognition. But truly, I feel unworthy,” he said, in his usual measured tone.

Mr Bachchan's tryst with political obscurity, after a brief period of political stardom, together with his waning fortunes as a cinestar did take some sheen off his image for many of his fans. But that now seems to have been a transient bad dream. He has, clearly, bounced back to virtually regain his earlier demi-god status, vis-à-vis the mainstream movie business in India . That's exactly what the University has acknowledged in its decision. Of course, it also helps matters that the University, based in Leicester , which has a sizeable south Asian population, has several cinema halls exclusively screening Indian films. Local authorities have also set in place policies and structures to encourage Indian producers to film and carry out post-production work. Several Indian films have been shot in the county recently. The award then, would be quite a nice dovetailing of honouring the Indian actor while encouraging more involvement of the Indian film industry.

So, while no one would justifiably grudge the thespian the honour, there is just that touch of the commercial side of things in the affair to make one smile knowingly, albeit a tad indulgently.