Mumbai: National Award winner, producer-entrepreneur Akshay Bardapurkar, has been conferred with an honoris causa (honorary doctorate) in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema and Marathi culture. This prestigious accolade, bestowed upon him by a renowned American university, acknowledges Bardapurkar's groundbreaking work and innovative strategies that have transformed the landscape of the Indian entertainment industry. He was presented the honoris causa (honorary doctorate) by Padmashree Dr. Kanubhai Tailor, India’s humanitarian and former cricketer Munaf Patel. Apart from Bardapurkar, actor Manoj Bajpayee was also recently presented with an honorary doctorate from the same university.

Bardapurkar's approach and transformative tactics have revolutionised the Marathi industry, consistently delivering exceptional brands and experiences for Marathi content. He created history by establishing Planet Marathi OTT, the world's only exclusively Marathi OTT platform. With its vast collection of meticulously curated content, Planet Marathi OTT has emerged as a powerful platform for showcasing Marathi entertainment on an international scale. Through his cinematic endeavours, such as the iconic film "Chandramukhi," Bardapurkar introduced the concept of larger-than-life cinema and pioneered innovative marketing and branding strategies in Marathi cinema.

His unwavering commitment to excellence has garnered national recognition, with two films from the Planet Marathi stable, namely "Gosht Eka Paithanichi" and "June," receiving recognition at the prestigious 68th National Film Awards. These achievements solidify Bardapurkar's position as a distinguished national award winner. Continuing his mission to elevate regional entertainment, Bardapurkar announced Planet Goem, a platform dedicated to showcasing art, culture, and people of Goa along with announcing plans to establish a film institute and studio in the state.

Commenting on his honoris causa (honorary doctorate), Bardapurkar said, "Receiving this honorary doctorate is a profoundly humbling experience, as it acknowledges the relentless efforts undertaken behind the scenes to foster positive transformation within the industry. I am deeply honored to accept this esteemed recognition, and I consider it a privilege that propels me forward to continue creating transformative and landmark contributions to Indian cinema.”