The National Indian Students Union UK (NISU) yesterday (6 March 2013), awarded Honorary Fellowships to both Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi to mark 100 years of Indian Cinema. We were present at the event hosted by SOAS, University of London where Miss Sanam Arora, President of NISU bestowed the honours to the renown icons.

With NISU marking 2013 as the year that Calls for Change and having promised to work towards a better society free from social evils, the organisation was proud to honour both Akhtar and Azmi for their contribution to both Indian cinema and the society at large for nearly four decades.

“We are really pleased as this is the first time such a fellowship has been instituted. Recognition from students means a lot as they are a tough group to satisfy, and that it is in honour of our work over the years is really heart-warming. The fact that they are awarding us their very first fellowship makes me very, very pleased and very, very thankful,” said Azmi speaking at the event.

“We are delighted to confer NISU Honorary Fellowships on these two legends of Indian Cinema in the year that marks its centenary. Their contributions to both Cinema and Society are unparalleled and we are humbled to associate NISU with them,” added Arora.

View pictures of the event below (click to enlarge).​

With inputs from and with thanks to Tony Gill.​
​Photo Credits : Ayyaz Ansari