To the list of many versatile actors and technicians of Kannada cinema, Upendra name also adds to the list of honorary doctorates. The star director, actor and producer Upendra of course is a path breaking cinema makers in the commercial style. He gets Cambodia Ankora Khemara University honorary doctorate.

Upendra has given socially relevant films is the behind getting doctorate honor. Many stars of Kannada cinema starting from Dr Rajakumar, Vishnuvardhana, Bharathi, Leelavathi, Jayanthi, Srinath, Sunder Raj, Saroja Devi, Girish Kasaravalli got honorary doctorate. It is only actors Sridhar and Jayamala who presented study paper and obtained doctorate.