Amitabh Bachchan dresses up in 'mundu' at the Newsmaker of the year 2009 awards

Springing a pleasant surprise on his fans, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan turned up in Kerala's traditional attire, a gold bordered 'mundu' (dhoti), at a function here last night.

"When in Rome do as Romans do," quipped the film icon to an amused gathering that included Union minister of state for agriculture, KV Thomas, Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal and the city's who's who.

Bachchan presented the Manorama News channel's 'Newsmaker of the year 2009' award to Resul Pokkutty, who won the Oscar award for the best sound designer for Slumdog Millionnaire.

Later at an interaction, an amused Mammooty, told Bachchan that he was expecting him to be in  formal attire and had himself turned up in a suit. Bachchan's reply was, "When in Rome do as Romans do", as the audience burst into laughter and applauded.

When actress Archana Kavi, who made a critically acclaimed debut in Lal Jose's 'Neela Thamara' told Bachchan that the attire suited him, the 67-year-old veteran replied that it was not the first time he was wearing the 'mundu'.

"Whenever I come to Kerala, I buy mundus and use it at home," he said. Thanking Mohanlal for the invitation to act in Malayalam films, Bachchan said it was a "big recognition" and was expecting good opportunties.

The actor said that there was a lot that he could learn from the Malayalm film industry and it's actors.