‘Rancho’ gets not just a degree but D Litt!

Hyderabad: No one forgets the funny, yet thought-provoking, entertainer-‘3 Idiots’ of Aamir Khan. The flick was a telling commentary on today’s fallacious and incapacitated education system. Ranchor das Shyamlal das Chanchadfondly called as Rancho by the other two Idiots -made a mockery of mug-up system in that movie. Aamir Khan won critical acclaim with his role as Rancho who insists on logical study based on practicality and mere rote methodology will end up in getting exposed in real life. That’s a reel life story but in real life, Aamir was not a degree holder.

This was revealed by none other than his own sister Nikhat Khan, who along with her mother Zeenat Hussain turned up to receive Honoris Causa (D Litt) at the fifth convocation of Maulana Abdul Kalam National Urdu University (MANUU) on his behalf. Aamir was away in Australia for a film shooting. “My mother Zeenat has always been goading Aamir to graduate himself. But as he was totally engrossed in movies right from his childhood days, he could not do it. Aamir used to tell her that ‘… maa, one day I will get a degree.. sure’. I think she must be more than happy now as he has received not just a degree but a honorary doctorate” Nikhit said amidst laughter by the well-gathered audience. Incidentally, Aamir was a relative of Maulana Abdul Kalam. “Getting a degree from a university named after Abdul Kalam’s really gives us utmost happiness” she remarked.

Though Zeenat was also present, she was silent all through and didn’t speak. Justice Rajinder Sachar, who did a pioneering work on Muslim poverty and suggested measures to address them, was also awarded Honoris Causa. Aamir didn’t turn up yet he conquered the hearts of students and their parents. When the Pro-vice Chancellor pronounced his name and some of his movies, there was huge applause. Union Minister for Human Resources MM Pallam Raju, who delivered the convocation address, showered praise on Aamir Khan for his social outlook.

He specially mentioned the movie- Tare Zameen Paar which he said beautifully handled and touching the hearts of many. His recent television serial Satyameva Jayate was also appreciated by the Minister and others. Even Rajinder Sachar extolled Aamir Khan for his socially relevant movies. “ I thought I can share the dais with Aamir. But I m not that