Kabir Bedi to be knighted as Italian honour of `Cavaliere`

Mumbai: Actor Kabir Bedi will be named Cavaliere (Knight) of the`Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana`, the highest ranking civilian honour of the Italian Republic instituted in 1951.

Bedi will be honoured at a special ceremony, organised by the Italian Consul General in Mumbai, Giampaolo Cutillo, early December, a spokesperson for the actor said here today. The 64-year-old actor`s association with Italy goes back a long way, beginning in 1976 with the success his`Sandokan`TV series, the saga of a freedom fighting Asian pirate during British colonial times who falls in love with an English girl. The series broke viewership records across Europe, and made Bedi a household name internationally. Since then, he has also starred in many other Italian TV series and films. Bedi said he accepts the Knighthood from the Italian Republic with enormous joy and deep gratitude."It`s the perfect symbol of all the love that Italy has showered me with for decades, ever since I played the title role of the`Sandokan`TV series, continuing till today." "But this is for a lifetime of work. Awards are valued by every actor, but this Knighthood is extra special for me as it comes from the Italian state,"he said. PTI