Bollywood fever hits Malaysia as Shah Rukh Khan 'knighted'

KUALA LUMPUR – Bollywood fever has hit Malaysia as Indian movie icon Shah Rukh Khan flew in to be awarded the nation's equivalent of a knighthood.

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

The actor was decked in a gold and black traditional Malay outfit for the Saturday ceremony, which was attended by more than 500 invited guests.

The crowd -- including the wives and teenaged children of diplomats and politicians -- shrieked his name and mobbed the star.

The 42-year-old heartthrob is well-loved in Malaysia, where Indian films have a huge following among ethnic Indians, majority Muslim-Malays and the ethnic Chinese community as well.

"It is a wonderful honor, it is very, very prestigious for me and... for all the people who act in films in my country," Khan told reporters.

"When you are an actor, you truly believe that the language that you speak can be truly international and go across boundaries and bring hope especially in today's time and age, when the world is full of strife."

Khan was taken on a tour of Malacca's tourist attractions before meeting thousands of fans.

"I love Shah Rukh. I got especially dolled up for him today and even though I am an ethnic Chinese, I really enjoy watching Hindi movies with Shah Rukh in them," said 22-year-old Chia Hooi Ling who attended the ceremony.

The award drew some controversy, with politicians questioning whether local artists should be recognised instead.

But fans were thrilled by the visit, which drew a large crowd of citizens, tourists and trishaw riders with Hindi movie songs blaring on their radios -- all hoping for a glimpse of the legend in the flesh.

"It is a dream come true for me. I traveled from Kuala Lumpur to see him and I managed to take a picture with him," said Siti Asmah Abdullah, a 21-year-old university student.

"He's lovely and very charming. Even my grandmother is in love with him," said Angelica Das, 16, who waited for hours to see him.

For local trishaw driver, Abu Mat Kassim, Khan's presence in the state -- where he filmed "One 2 Ka 4" -- meant a boost for his business.

"Look at how much he has done to make Malacca famous," he said. "We love him and we are proud to have this fabulous star as a Malaccan Datuk."