Amid loud cheers from hundreds of his fans, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday carried the Olympic torch at Southwark here, a day before the opening ceremony of the sporting spectacle.
The 69-year-old actor in a white track suit covered a 300m distance running and walking occasionally and waved at the cheering crowd, as the Olympic Games torch relay entered the 69th day.
Ahead of his participation in the relay, Bachchan said it was a “proud moment” for him and the country to be invited to carry the Olympic flame.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and NRI businessman Laxmi Mittal were among others who were part of the relay team today.
“OK!! HERE IT IS. Have been invited by London Olympic Organizing Committee to carry the torch in the relay tomorrow ... Honored to be asked to carry the Olympic Torch in London at Southwark around 10:30 AM !! A proud moment for me and country,” Bachchan had tweeted.
The 32.7-mile-long relay of the Olympic flame on its final leg has participation of legendary personalities from all over the world and all walks of life, including Lawrence Dallaglio, Lewis Moody, Jim Anderson, Phil Packer, Darren Fitzpatrick and Tom Davis.
Bachchan is not the only celebrity to lend the Indian touch to the 2012 London Olympics.
Indian music
Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman teamed up with his Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle to compose a track for the inaugural event.
“It’s a track in Punjabi celebrating the Indian influence in the UK.
“It’s a part of a medley in the Olympics opening ceremony, according to Danny Boyle’s creative wishes!” Rahman had written on his Facebook page.
Music director Ilaiyaraaja’s song is also set to feature in the medley of music tracks to be used in the opening ceremony of the London Games.
