The University of Edinburgh is to host a visit by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

The actor will give a public lecture at the University's New College.

Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most influential actors in the world, having appeared in more than 80 Bollywood films.

He has received 14 Filmfare Awards, honouring excellence in the Hindi language film industry and has more than 15 million Twitter followers.

He was awarded one of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri, in 2005.

The University has been linked with India for nearly 250 years. Professor William Robertson, Edinburgh's Principal from 1762 to 1793 and a noted Enlightenment thinker, wrote one of the earliest European texts to focus on India - An Historical Disquisition concerning the Knowledge which the Ancients had of India.

Edinburgh’s first Indian student graduated in 1876 and by the 1920s its Indian student population was greater than that of any other UK University.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Senior Vice-Principal said, "The University of Edinburgh has very strong ties with India and I am delighted that we are able to welcome one of the most outstanding stars of world cinema.

The actor will be at the university on Thursday 15 October.