MUMBAI: The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), affiliated to the University of London, honoured reputed filmmaker Yash Chopra with a honorary higher doctoral degree, a DLit, a Doctor of Letters honoris causa, in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the field of cinema in his six decades of work in the Hindi film industry.

The function opened with an impressive procession of Heads of Departments, Senior Management and the Presidents of the Students‘ Union, entering the Hall to a musical accompaniment. The Director and Principal of SOAS, Professor Paul Webley and The President of SOAS, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, welcomed the graduates and their guests.
While public orator Professor Rachel Dwyer read a citation in tribute to Chopra, the President, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, presented the degree.

Praising Chopra, Professor Dwyer pointed out that the filmmaker continues to innovate with every film he makes and remains young at heart, always interested in how people think, feel and behave. She further said that the graduates should be inspired by Chopra‘s success; learn his dedication, hard work, focus and his ways of rising above failure.

In his response, Chopra said, "I am humbled by this honour and would like to thank SOAS for this recognition. My film making has always been from the heart and I would like to pass on this same message to students all over the world".

Chopra had 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.