Professor: 'Amitabh Bachchan beats Taj Mahal'

Professor Rachel Dwyer has said that Amitabh Bachchan is better than many other symbols associated with India.

Dwyer, from the School of Oriental and African Studies, made the comments during Bachchan's visit to the UK earlier this week.

The academic indicated that through his films, Bachchan is "a great communicator of moral sentiment" and does more for India on an international level than the Taj Mahal, curry and the Kama Sutra, PTI reports.

The veteran actor, who made appearances in London and Oxford, inaugurated the UK launch of his celebrity voice blogging service 'Bachchan Bol' at an event hosted by presenter George Lamb.

"From my films to my family, from my country to my city, you will be able to hear about it all, in my own voice, in my own diary, direct to you on your mobile phone," said the BBC Star of the Millenium.

Users can subscribe to Bachchan's vog by dialling 85525 from a mobile or landline phone.

Dwyer's next Indian cinema publication is 'Bollywood's India: Hindi cinema as a guide to modern India'.