Bollywood's Big B 'deeply humbled' in Dubai

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan said on Wednesday he was "deeply humbled" as the Dubai International Film Festival honoured him with a lifetime achievement award.

“It is a wonderful recognition ... and I am deeply humbled by it," said Bachchan, whose 40-year career in the world's largest film industry has won him several accolades.

Bachchan, 67, in Dubai for the spectacle, said he had no plans for the Arabic film industry as yet but was open to fresh ideas and talent.

Despite an alarming debt crisis, Dubai's sixth international film festival rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday with a mix of Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab celebrities. The fest will feature 168 films from 55 countries, with some being shown for the first time.

Bollywood film ‘Black’, in which Bachchan plays a teacher taking care of a challenged student, will also be screened at the festival.

The star, who has acted in more than 180 films, told reporters that the secret of his "undying energy" was chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparation - a sticky, brown, edidle paste - used across India to boost health.

Bachchan, who does not like the term Bollywood to describe India's film industry, said the moniker "was phrased by some eager journalist to please his boss ... but now has gone into the Oxford dictionary" and become a part of history.

"We are happy doing what we do in India," he added.