He later wrote a formal letter to the university stating his reasons for declining the honour.

"I write to you with a heavy heart on a matter that has now reached sensitive proportions," Bachchan wrote in an official letter, which was also published on his blog.

"I have observed with utter dismay the anguish this caused to the families that have become unfortunate victims," he added.

The university is, however, still keen to honour the superstar and has said that it will wait for "another opportunity" to confer the honorary doctorate on the "towering figure in Bollywood".

"The acts against Indian students in Australia is incredibly unfortunate and to be deplored and sensitivities back home in India are well understood, therefore we understand entirely the reasons," QUT Vice-Chancellor Peter Coaldrake said.