Thursday, December 4, 2008

Bollywood star eager for Malaysia honorary title


Source: AP (malaysia.news.yahoo.com)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan has voiced excitement about accepting a Malaysian honorary title equivalent to a British knighthood, despite claims by some Malaysians that it is wrong to honor a foreigner, a news report said Wednesday.

Khan is scheduled to receive the title of "Datuk" on Saturday from the governor of Malaysia's southern Malacca state in the presence of 1,000 invited guests.

"After I heard about the award, I have not stopped telling everyone around in the world _ in the United States, Britain and South Africa _ that I have been knighted," Khan told The Star newspaper.

"What made this honor so profound was that it was given by a country that does not even speak my language," The Star quoted Khan as saying in a phone interview from Mumbai. According to Malacca's chief minister, Khan is being given the title because six of his movies were shot on location in the historical state and helped boost its tourism.

The move has stirred controversy, with Malaysians writing letters to newspapers saying it was wrong to honor a foreigner when there were many deserving local artists.
Khan brushed aside the criticism, saying he has "so much love for Malaysia" and takes his family for vacations in this Southeast Asian nation.

"I know who I am and what I deserve," Khan said. "Whatever people write about me, be it positive or negative, will not change anything."
Bollywood movies are highly popular in Malaysia and Khan enjoys a huge following among local Malays and ethnic Indians.
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Citra Adora:
Shah Rukh Khan...congratulations and welcome to Malaysia again!

1 comment:

rayliew said...

Pengurniaan Datukship kepada Shah Rukh Khan membuka ruang kepada pelakon popular lain untuk mendapat pengurniaan tersebut..namun takkan kita selalu memberi penghargaan kepada pelakon luar negara tetapi lupa akan pelakon tempatan yang juga telah menyumbangkan banyak usaha untuk kemajuan negeri dan negara.