As Malaysians debate on the issue, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan expressed his delight on being conferred the title of Datuk by the state of Malacca.

The Bollywood star, who had apologized for not being able to fly down to Malaysia to receive the honour owning to his tight schedule and faltering health, said he couldn’t be thankful enough for the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) which carries the title “Datuk“.

“I would also like to thank the Malaysian government, my friends , fans and Malaysians who have showed me so much love ,” the Star Online quoted him as saying. “After I heard about the award, I have not stopped telling everyone around the world - in the United States, Britain and South Africa- that I have been knighted. What made this honour so profound was that it was given by a country that does not even speak my language. I have so much love for Malaysia. t I shoot my movies there, take my family for holidays and visit my friends. This special honour is such a humbling experience,” he added.

The Malacca state has conferred the title on him stating that the actor, by shooting two movies, including ‘One Two ka Four‘, had made Malacca popular across the world as Hindi films are seen by people in several countries.
Shahrukh Khan is popular among the Malays who like watching Hindi films. However, the majority of the ethnic Indian population here are Tamils and their heroes are usually from Tamil movies.
Several Tamil films have been shot all over Malaysia but no south Indian star has been given the honoured title by any of the states.
Meanwhile, a cross-section of Malaysian public are upset over the selection of Bollywood actor for the award saying that there were talented local artists who could have received it instead.
King Khan, who confirmed he would be receiving the award on December 13 in Malacca, said that the controversy, questioning whether he deserved the title or not, did not bother him at all.

He said: “I do not have to read about myself in the papers. I know who I am and what I deserve. Whatever people write about me, be it positive or negative, will not change anything. I am a bit self-centred in that sense. I am my own best friend.”