Renowned Indian film director Atlee was recently conferred with a prestigious honorary Doctorate by the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai. This significant milestone in his cinematic journey took place at the university’s 34th convocation ceremony on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The esteemed degree and a commemorative plaque were presented to Atlee by the university’s Chancellor, Dr. Mariazeena Johnson. The event was made even more special by the presence of Atlee’s parents, his wife Priya Atlee, and his son, who witnessed the proud moment.

The honorary doctorate was awarded in recognition of Atlee’s invaluable and immense contributions to the Indian film industry, with his works garnering both critical acclaim and global success. His impressive filmography includes blockbusters such as “Raja Rani,” “Theri,” “Mersal,” “Bigil,” and the pan-India phenomenon “Jawan,” which starred Shah Rukh Khan and marked his successful Hindi film debut.

During the emotional ceremony, Atlee reflected on his journey, recalling his days as a student at the very same university. He expressed profound gratitude, stating, “It’s surreal to be honoured by the same university where I once walked in as a student with big dreams. It was here that I learned the power of belief.” He also paid tribute to the late Jeppiaar, the former Chancellor and founder of the university, who not only supported his education but also significantly encouraged his creative aspirations. Atlee reminisced, “Many know Jeppiaar, sir, who supported my education. But he did much more — he encouraged my creativity. I once told him I wanted to make a short film. He simply said, ‘Pick up a camera and become a director soon.’ That moment changed my life.”

The filmmaker also used the opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to his family for their unwavering support. He acknowledged his parents for standing by him until he achieved his dream of becoming a filmmaker and credited his wife, Priya Atlee, for shaping him into the person he is today. He also affectionately mentioned his son for making him a better human being.

Following the news of his honor, renowned actor Allu Arjun took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to congratulate Atlee. He posted a picture of Atlee receiving the doctorate and wrote, “Big congratulations to @Atlee_dir garu on receiving the honorary doctorate. Really happy to see your passion and craft being celebrated at this level. Wishing you many more heights ahead.”

On the work front, Atlee is currently preparing for his next major project, a high-octane pan-Indian action drama tentatively titled #AA22xA6. This highly anticipated film is set to star Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone and will be produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures. To prepare for his role, Allu Arjun is undergoing a significant physical transformation with the help of celebrity fitness trainer Lloyd Stevens, underscoring the film's ambitious scale.