Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to be conferred the Malaysian title of ‘Datuk‘, akin to the British knighthood, on December 6 and he is expected to receive the honour in traditional Malaysian attire.

The traditional Malaysian black costume with a waistband, a songkok and a black cap is the official attire to receive the award from the Malaccan royal chief, Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob

Khan is to be presented with an award from southern Malacca state, which carries the title “Datuk“, equivalent to a British knighthood, after a 2001 film set in Malacca boosted its profile as a tourist destination.

He was to receive the award on 29 November but state officials postponed the event last week.

“From the beginning (Shah Rukh) had agreed to come to Malacca and gave several dates but the ones given were not suitable for the state as they fell on workdays,” state secretary Omar Kaseh said in a statement. December 6 falls on a Saturday.

About 1,000 invitees will witness the ceremony. SRK is scheduled to be in Malaysia for three days.

Omar said Shah Rukh would be in Malacca for only a day and the Bollywood star would visit various heritage and tourism sites such as the Eye on Malaysia as well as the heritage districts of Jonker Walk and Kampung Morten.

His being conferred the Datukship had stirred up much controversy with many questioning whether he really deserves it. Critics had asked what Shah Rukh had done for Malaysia to deserve a Datukship. They also took up cudgels on behalf of local artistes.

Malaccan authorities, however, say Shah Rukh’s shoot of ‘One 2 Ka 4’ in Malaysia had benefited the country immensely, giving it global publicity without any money being spent.

Indian films are popular in Malaysia that has an estimated 2.6 million ethnic Indians.