Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to cinema as part of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), it has been revealed.

DIFF organisers paid tribute to the Indian actor with chairman Abdulhamid Juma saying “words such as ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ can be overused, but in Amitabh Bachchan’s case, they are totally deserved.”  

“No one from Indian cinema has made a bigger impact on the world,” he said, adding that the award is recognition for an artist whose performances have inspired billions - going well beyond his intended audiences from the sub-continent.

“Honouring Amitabh Bachchan is akin to celebrating an institution who has had an everlasting impact on generations spanning across the Middle East and the rest of the world,” he said.

Popularly known a the ‘Big B’, 67-year-old Amitabh has appeared in 177 films, including blockbusters such as ‘Sholay’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Agneepath’, ‘Shakthi’ and ‘Sarkar’. He also hosted the popular TV quiz ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati?’ - the Hindi version of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’.

Thanking DIFF, Bachchan said the award is an honour for the strong and centuries-old cultural affiliations that the Indian subcontinent shares with the Arab world, and the deep sense of appreciation and respect Dubai has showered on people from the region.

“I strongly believe that cinema has the power to influence people and bring all of us together for a greater purpose - of peace, brotherhood and solidarity,” he said ahead of the festival.

“Personally, I am humbled by this recognition from Dubai, a city I consider as my second home.”

DIFF begins on December 9.

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