Sunday, December 07, 2008
My Name is Khan
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Resplendent in black Malay baju, complete with samping and songkok, famous 43-year-old Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan received the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) award from Malacca state governor Tun Khalil Yaakob yesterday. The award carries the title Datuk and Khan is first foreign actor to be honoured.
The award was supposedly in recognition of Khan's indirect contribution to the local tourism industry, where since the filming of his 2001 movie, One 2 Ka 4 at a popular holiday resort in Malacca, the number of Indian tourists to the state has increased significantly, state officials say.
At a post-investiture press conference, Datuk Shah Rukh Khan also disclosed that he will star in a new movie exploring the issue of Islam in the post 9/11 world and the misperception that all Muslims are terrorists. The movie "My Name is Khan" tells the story of six people with Muslim surnames who suffer suspicion and prejudice years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"Islam does not in any which way tell you to be violent," Khan said. "I think the whole concept of jihad, the whole concept of warring needs to be explained as Allah meant it to be in the Koran. (The film) is an attempt to try and do that in an entertaining way," he added. Filmmaker Karan Johar will direct while top Bollywood actress Kajol Mukherjee, who has acted in several hit movies with Khan in the past, will co-star. (Read today's The Hindu report, here)
There has been some controversy and protests by a few local artistes over this Malacca award. Although having been "weaned" on the old classics of Dev Anand and the legendary Kapoor brothers, I have never followed Khan's more recent Hindi blockbusters which I believe are very well received globally. But if his new movie succeeds in some measure to dissipate some of the anger and outrage being felt in India and elsewhere over the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, or help bridge the widening gulf between Muslims and non Muslims worldwide, then this state award from Malacca will surely be the least that he will deserve.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all Muslim friends.
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SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL ADHA
ReplyDeletei wonder why JAKIM didn't put him in detention as he got a hindu wife?.
no hard feeling CAP i love reading your blog,i am a catholic myself with my late wife a hindu.
regards
julian
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha Capt Yusof!
ReplyDeleteI was rather sceptical, in fact disapproving of the Melaka government's decision to bestow the state honours on Shah Rukh Khan.
I'm not at all a fan of Bollywood movies or their stars, but when I saw how dignified SRK looked in the Malay baju and how well he carried himself at the ceremony I had a change of heart.
Perhaps SRK and the Bollywood film industry can add value to tourism in Melaka, or Melaka as a film location!
Besides, if SRK delivers his promise of helping to set up a film studio/ industry in Melaka isn't this a jolly good thing!
In fact I rather think inroads have been made in this direction. Initial talks have been held I'm sure between Shah Rukh's people and Ali Rustam's people.
What do you think Capt Yusof?
Halimah:
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit skeptical about Malacca to become a focal point of the local film industry, Datin. But for Malaysia as a whole to become a favourite holiday destination for Indian tourists I have no doubt. Already the news has been splashed in the front pages of many Indian newspapers..
datang jugak mamat Bollywood ni.haha.takpe lah.mungkin dah rezeki dia nak dapat gelaran tu.cuma lepas ni kerajaan Melaka kenalah belajar dari Sultan Selongor untuk menghadkan pemberian gelaran Datuk dan beri cuma pada yang benar-benar layak dan memenuhi kriteria sahaja.
ReplyDeleteramai lagi orang Malaysia yang berjaya yang lebih layak memiliki gelaran tu dari Shah rukh khan.tapi mungkin dah rezeki dia.tak taulah jika dia benar-benar ikhlas memperkatakan dia bangga menerima gelaran tersebut.kita andaikan sajalah yang baik.
capt, they gave him the title thinking his reputation will rub into some of the state dignitaries!
ReplyDeleteI have no opinion on the title given to him, but I hope the MB concerned will learn a thing or two from him on tolerance of others' beliefs. Otherwise, Mr. Khan would have to explain to his millions of Indian fans back home as to why he has associated hinself with such a blinker!
Dato'ships have become overrated and overstated.
ReplyDeleteThese days being a Dato' means you're probably corrupt, insecure and a lying backstabbing scheming rat!
What's embarassing though is that THIS award is sadly wasted on a B-grade actor who makes excessively melodramatic movies with predictable plotlines, lacking in substance and and a real insult to human ingenuity.
Though this is not the first time we're giving it to an actor with such credentials... Michelle Yeoh got it awhile go as well....
Mungkin selepas ini, Datuk Shah S.R.Khan akan buat lebih banyak filem di Malaysia. Ia satu pelaburan yang menguntungkan memandangkan filem bollywood dah sampai ke peringkat antarabangsa.
ReplyDeleteThis is a joke. And it is only right as Melaka datukships have no value in the eyes of many.
ReplyDeleteMr Khan - who is an ACTOR -- will say and wear anything if you pay him. Did Melaka CM pay for his flight, hotel, etc and any gold watches as well for him to turn up?
Nonactor.