Film/Stage
Italian Govt.to Knight Kabir Bedi
NEWS REPORT
Actor Kabir Bedi will be named Cavaliere (Knight) of the
'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana', the highest ranking
civilian honour of the Italian Republic instituted in 1951.
He will be honoured at a special ceremony, organised by the Italian Consul
General in Mumbai - Giampaolo Cutillo - early December, a spokesperson for
the actor said here today.
The 64-year-old actor's association with Italy goes back a long way, beginning in 1976 with the success of his Sandokan TV series, the saga of a freedom fighting Asian pirate during British colonial times who falls in love with an English girl.
The
series broke viewership records across Europe, and made Kabir Bedi a
household name internationally. Since then, he has also starred in many
other Italian TV series and films.
Kabir said he accepts the
Knighthood from the Italian Republic with enormous joy and deep
gratitude. "It's the perfect symbol of all the love that Italy has
showered me with for decades, ever since I played the title role of the Sandokan TV series, continuing till today."
"But
this is for a lifetime of work. Awards are valued by every actor, but
this Knighthood is extra special for me as it comes from the Italian
state," he said.
Kabir said he has always promoted projects
between India and Italy because he believes both countries are similar
in many ways - "the warmth of people, shared family values, rich
cultural heritage, great cinematic traditions, tremendous cuisines, even
talking with animated hands!"
"I have always enjoyed working
there, both in films and television. Italy has a very special place in
my heart," he said adding that he plans to release the DVD of the Sandokan series dubbed in Hindi.
November 30, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), November 30, 2010, 6:16 PM.
Years ago, a friend of ours, Dr. Avtar Singh when he visited Rome for the first time thought he had landed in Delhi- the same loud habits and same hand movements, as if some boxing match was on. No wonder Kabir Bedi found going to Italy as a homecoming. Italians too have a tremendous sense of humour, further enhanced by their quaint accent. You probably know that whenever the Pope travels and on landing, kisses the ground. Someone asked why he did that. The answer was: "You would too, if you flew ALITALIA." Good for you, Kabir, to be bestowed Italy's highest civilian honour. You look great in a turban.
2: Lajpat Rai Arora (Berlin, Germany), December 06, 2010, 8:06 PM.
Congratulations, Sir. I remember your TV serial "SAandokan" which was also screened here in Germany. A lot of people became very fond of it.