Shabana Azmi Receives Her '6th Honourary Doctorate' At Kolkata's Techno India University

Legendary actress Shabana Azmi has added another feather to her cap. The actress has earned an honourary Doctorate from Techno India University (TIU) in Kolkata. The actress shared a close up of her certificate on social media. Expressing her gratitude for the honour, the actress wrote, “Privileged to receive my 6th Hon. Doctorate in the presence of Hon’ble President of India Shri Kovind . Other recipients included Jogen Choudhry, Leander Paes, and Shankar Mahadevan.”

Along with Shabana Azmi, popular singer Shankar Mahadevan, former Indian tennis player Leander Paes and painter Jogen Choudhry were also honoured at the event. Speaking to the media about the doctorate. Shabana Azmi stated, “I am very honoured to get the honourary D.Litt from Techno India University because the stature of the other recipients was so high, my attempts of being so modest that I don’t think I deserved this honour. But I do believe, now that I have got it, it also places a responsibility on me. I think art can be used as an instrument for social change and that is what I have tried to do in my own little way.”

Fans of the veteran star were also happy for this achievement. One of them commented, “Many Congratulations Shabanaji. You are such an inspiration,” while another said, “huge congratulations Shabanaji! So richly deserved.”

Shankar Mahadevan, who also received his doctorate, shared that the highlight of the event was sharing the stage with Shabana Azmi. He told Hindustan Times, “But more than receiving the doctorate, what makes it more special is the kind of people you receive it with. I feel blessed that I got to be on the same dias as (lyricist) Gulzar sahab and (actor) Shabana Azmi ji to (former tennis player) Leander Paes, who also received the doctorate.”

Shabana Azmi was last seen in Karan Johar’s film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. It stars Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in leading roles. Shabana’s chemistry with Dharmendra was the film’s highlight. She will soon be seen in the film Bun Tikki with Abhay Deol and Zeenat Aman. The film is being directed by Faraz Arif Ansari and backed by Jio Studios and celebrated fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s banner Stage 5 Production.