Star of Bollywood receives knighthood from Bolehland

Datukship is Malaysian equivalent of a knighthood and its recipient is entitled to be addressed as Datuk so and so, similar to 'Sir' followed by the person's name. Over the years, so many datuks have been created that the locals joked about 'you can hit a datuk if you were to throw a stone in a crowd'. This is not surprising, as over the years, almost every year, some 13 heads of state would have bestowed such titles on tens of distinguished people. Lately, some outstanding sports personalities too, were awarded, though aged in their twenties.

The most controversial recently was the datukship awarded to Shah Rukh Khan, a Bollywood star of international fame. Except for his fame, he did nothing for Malaysia but to have starred in a film with some scenes shot locally. In fact, he was said to be surprised to be given the award and could not make it on the official day and another day was specially arranged for him! To have actually bent over backwards to accommodate him seems to have lowered the dignity of the state government of Malacca, if what the local coffeeshop gossips were to be believed. Some even suggested that he is welcome to become a Bumiputera with all the rights that go with it!

According to a news report:

MELACCA: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, resplendent in a black baju Melayu, samping and songkok, Saturday (6 Dec) received the state award conferring the "Datuk" title on him from the Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob at Dewan Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh here.

The 43-year-old actor held the estimated 1,000 guests at the investiture spellbound as he received the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), conferred on him and 76 others in conjunction with the 70th birthday of Mohd Khalil on 11 Oct.

Shah Rukh Khan was tied down by a busy work schedule and could not fly in from Mumbai to receive the award in October or on the later date, 29 Nov.

Today, he arrived at the Dewan Seri Negeri at 10.55am and kept smiling and waving to his fans as he was escorted into the hall.

The actor was the focus of attention of the local and foreign photographers as well as guests who clicked away on their camera phones from their seats in the hall. (Bernama)