By: Kiran Ayodhya

A. R. Rahman (Getty Images)

For one British educator, his “Ask the Expert” moniker is no longer limited to just academic or quiz-show circles. Thanks to the Triangle Media Group, Dr. Rajinder Dudrah can add a new moniker to his office door – “Global Achiever.”

The head of Drama at England’s University of Manchester was named one of the United Kingdom’s Top 50 South Asian Global Achievers, it was announced by the Triangle Media Group on February 5th.

Dr. Dudrah was honored for positively using his academic and media work to make significant contributions to the global understanding of Bollywood film.

“I’m delighted and surprised to be honored by this group and to be awarded a Top 50 Global Achiever Award,” Dr. Dudrah told reporters about being named to the list. “Two of my Indian cinema stalwarts and personal icons have also been honoured — Aishwarya Rai previously and … A.R. Rahman. It’s humbling and equally thrilling to witness my work on Bollywood cinema and South Asian popular culture being recognized for its knowledge transfer and impact outside the University.”

Five other Indian entertainers reportedly made the Triangle Media Group’s Top 50 list, including Rahman, actress Lisa Ray, filmmakers Onir and Nandita Das, and playwright Emteaz Hussain.

Rahman was honored in the Global Ambassadors category for composing the soundtracks of two Hollywood releases last year in Slumdog Millionaire and Couples Retreat; Onir was recognized for his upcoming film I Am, while Das was given credit for her social commentary film Firaaq.

Artist Roma Patel was also named on the Top 50 list of Global Achievers, the Triangle Media Group announced.

The Top 50 list honors working professionals excelling in their chosen line of work, noting the significant contributions to promoting South Asian culture on a global scale.

Honorees of the list and various other Triangle Media Group awards are chosen by a committee of professionals in Britain, Australia, India, China, Spain, Holland, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.