Noted filmmaker Yash Chopra was awarded an honorary doctorate by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the UK, for his “outstanding contribution to the field of cinema during last six decades in the Hindi film industry.”
Chopra was awarded the doctorate on July 23 by the SOAS, a part of the University of London, which is among the world’s leading centres for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle-East.
The veteran’s love of London and his connections with SOAS,one of the first universities to offer a course in mainstream Indian cinema, began in 1992.
“I am humbled by the honour. My film making has always been from the heart and I would like to pass on this message to students all over the world,” he said.
Professor Rachel Dwyer read a citation in tribute to Chopra and the President, Baroness Helena Kennedy, presented him the degree.
“His films use a melodramatic form to show emotions at their deepest and Yash Chopra continues to innovate with every film he makes and remains young at heart, always interested in how people think, feel and behave,” said Dwyer.
Chopra has previously been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by The Leeds Metropolitan University, UK in 2007, The Punjab University, Chandigarh, in 2008 and the Guru Nanak University, Amritsar, in 2004, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
