Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was so overcome with meeting former South African president Nelson Mandela that he touched his feet, eliciting a query from the elder statesman on what the gesture meant.

A quick explanation from Essop Pahad, minister in the Office of the Presidency, that this was a way of showing reverence for elders in the Indian community, had Mandela quickly getting into a chat with Kapoor Wednesday.

"I touched his feet for a few seconds and (Mandela) was quite surprised, asking: 'What is he doing?'" Kapoor told IANS, adding that usually this was a gesture of respect that was a fleeting movement, but he remained at Mandela's feet for a few seconds.

"After that the humour from Mr Mandela was just tremendous."

"It would be an understatement to say that it was the greatest day of my life. It's a feeling that I had when my first child was born. It was an absolutely emotional experience."

Kapoor said Mandela spoke at length to him about his experiences of spending 27 years in prison, after which he became the icon of peaceful political change in South Africa and its first democratic president after decades of oppressive white minority rule.

"He also spoke about his two sons, and especially his son who died of HIV/AIDS. Mr Mandela is very keen to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS throughout the world."

Asked by IANS if he would accept if approached to become one of the celebrities that the Nelson Mandela Foundation appoints as "4664 ambassadors" to assist in goodwill projects, Kapoor said: "It would be an honour!"

The number "4664" refers to Mandela's cell number while he was incarcerated on Robben Island, which has since become a national heritage site.

Kapoor said that like most people who met the statesman for the first time, he also changed his perception of what Mandela would be like.

"I expected him to be slightly quieter and slightly older. I found him to be actually young and energetic - he loves talking!"

"I feel that (Mandela) can still do wonders for the world. He has the energy to inspire and to lead - to do everything possible for the human race."

Kapoor was on a short visit to South Africa as the guest of local IT giant Sahara Computers, led by the Indian origin Gupta family.