Kabir Bedi was one of three children born into a family that had devoted itself to India’s fight for independence from British colonial rule. His mother, Freda Bedi, later converted to Tibetan Buddhism. His father, Baba Pyare Lal Bedi, a Punjabi Sikh, was an author and philosopher. Kabir Bedi did his schooling at Sherwood College, Nainital, and graduation from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.Kabir Bedi began his career in Indian theatre and then moved on to Hindi films. Bedi is the only international actor from India to have originated from Bollywood, worked in Hollywood, and become a big star in Europe.In the James Bond film Octopussy, he played the villain’s aide Gobinda who battled Roger Moore from start to finish. Kabir has acted in over 60 Indian Bollywood films.Since 1982 Kabir has had the honor of being a voting member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who are responsible for presenting the Oscar awards. He is also a voting member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has won numerous film, advertising and popularity awards across Europe and India. By decree of the President of the Italian Republic of 2 June 2010, Kabir Bedi was officially knighted. He received the highest ranking civilian honour of the Italian Republic and was bestowed the title of “Cavaliere” (Knight) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.