Superstar Amitabh Bachchan unveiled a book on India's icons by columnist and film critic Anil Dharker but said he was embarrassed to be included among India's top 20 iconic people.

"I find it embarrassing to be one of the 20 icons. I shouldn't be there," said Bachchan, who had come with his wife Jaya for the launch of "Icons: Men & Women Who Shaped Today's India".

However, Dharker dismissed the star's remarks. "Amitabh is just being modest. Humility is important and it comes from knowing that you have achieved a lot but there is so much more to achieve. And the icons know that."

He added: "The book will give you a sense of our country and where it is headed."

Dharker's book singularly establishes the unparalleled greatness and iconic status of men and women like former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, M.F. Hussain, Charles Correa and Sonia Gandhi.

The book unfolds the charisma, exceptional destinies, talents and achievements of 20 men and women who continue to shape today's India.

"While choosing an icon from cricket we couldn't decide between Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, so we decided to club them together. So actually there are 21 icons," Dharker said.