The 25 Greatest Global Living Legends

Amartya Sen: An intellectual giant, Amartya Sen has placed development at the heart of democracy, society and policy.

"It's much nicer to hear wise things being said by others than have to say them yourself," he said in his acceptance speech.

Amitabh Bachchan: After six decades, still India's leading man.

"Never allow critics to get you down," Mr Bachchan said.

Anish Kapoor: An artist who reshaped and resized India in the global map.

A R Rahman: His music is India's soundtrack.

"I wanted to thank my state Tamil Nadu, my mother and teachers. I have to go a long way if I live," Mr Rahman said.

C N R Rao: The secrets of Science dissolve for him.

"There are many ways to celebrate 25 years but this way is unique," he said.

Ela Bhatt: SEWA founder Ela Bhatt for empowering women in villages with jobs, visibility and dignity.

"We need to recognize that poverty is violence. Society that looks the other way is giving consent. Diversity is the key to life," she said while accepting the award.

Fali S Nariman: Tireless protector of our rights and liberties.

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: He turns an ordinary moment into the sublime.

Indra Nooyi: Known for the outstanding company she keeps.

Kapil Dev: The Hurricane from Haryana who home-delivered the World Cup.

Leander Paes: Game, set, match and this title: Living Legend.

M S Swaminathan. His Green Revolution fed a hungry India and came to the rescue of millions of farmers.

Mukesh Ambani: The pivotal force behind a global business masterpiece.

N R Narayana Murthy, India's Chief Mentor and philanthropist.

Rajinikanth: Full-throttle star power meets immaculate humility.

Ratan Tata: From Nano to Jaguar, one of India's flagship groups is built on his code of ethics.

Sachin Tendulkar: He is the God of Cricket.

S S Badrinath: Not just free eyecare, uncompromising state-of-the-art attention.

S H Raza: The teacher and the master.

Shah Rukh Khan: Kashmir se Kanyakumari tak India's favourite joyride.

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: He has endowed science with crucial details of DNA.

Vikram Seth: The storyteller who made India capture the world's imagination.

Waheeda Rahman: Beauty, Grace and Inexhaustible Charisma.

Y K Hamied: For asserting affordable drugs are a basic human right.

Zubin Mehta: The Maestro who enchants audiences everywhere. Spellbound by this Living Legend.

One stage, 25 Living Legends.