Sixty one-year-old Bachchan, Bollywood superstar was recently voted by Britain's channel 4 Television as one of the greatest 100 film stars of all time. Earlier, he was voted as the Star of the Millennium in a poll conducted by the BBC on-line.

Pakistan's most successful bowler in one-day cricket Wasim Akram, one of the all-time greats who announced his decision to retire from the international game recently was chosen for the Asian Guild Sports award while India's most successful film-maker Yash Chopra won the award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.

Other award recipients were Prof Raman Bedi (community service award), Sir Devinder Maini (science award), Krishnan Guru Murthy (media award), Naaz Coker (asian woman of the year award) and Naresh Goyal (commerce and enterprise award).

The Asian Guild awards 2003 were presented at a gala dinner held at the Gosvenor House hotel attended by over 700 guests including Lord Navneet Dholakia, Lord King, Lord Peter Archer, Ashok Kumar, MP, leading NRI businessmen S.P. Hinduja and G.P. Hinduja, Chairman and President respectively of the Hinduja group, leading NRI entrepreneur Joginder Sanger and Ram Jethmalani, MP, former Union law minister.

Receiving the award amid thunderous applause, Bachchan who has acted in over 70 films with a sizeable number of blockbusters, thanked the Asian Guild for recognition of his achievement which, he said, was possible because of the "wonderful" opportunity the Indian film industry gave him. He also thanked producers, directors and other members of the crew for facilitating him in achieving what he did.

Accepting the award Shah Rukh Khan said, "It is absolutely wonderful to be here" to receive the award and share people's excitement and enthusiasm.

Joginder Singh, Vice President of the guild presented the award to Yash Chopra while S.P. Hinduja gave away the fellowship award to Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, chief of the serious organised crime for his outstanding achievements.

Lord Archer said, "We must acknowledge contributions made by Asians to Britain and continued to do so. We celebrate our diversity and recognise the fantastic contribution made by Asians to the British society."

Suresh Josh, Secretary General recalled the promises held out by Asha Bhosle, well known play back singer and international president of the guild, that it would become an institution of world renown.

"The guild represents a tangible opportunity to celebrate the enormous contribution that our community makes to the shape and destiny of this nation.