Shahrukh comes, everybody jumps
MALACCA: Looking completely at ease, award-winning Bollywood heartthrob Shahrukh Khan yesterday graciously received the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) from Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.
Clad in a dark blue baju melayu, songkok and the official Malacca state songket samping tied in the style of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, he was ushered into Dewan Seri Negeri just before 11am by Human Resources, Health and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Capt (R) Abdul Karim Sulaiman.
He was first given a short briefing on the protocol of accepting the award, and being a seasoned actor that he is, he performed his part of the ceremony without putting a foot wrong.
Also present at the investiture were Khalil's wife, Toh Puan Zurina Kassim, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, his wife Datin Seri Asmah Abdul Rahman and about 1,000 guests.
However, as the newly-minted Datuk was escorted out of the hall, protocols were forgotten and it was a mob scene as guests, including some state dignitaries and their wives, took the opportunity to get a closer glimpse and maybe, a picture together with their favourite Bollywood star.
Even Khalil had to wait for the crowd to calm down before making his way out of the hall.
At an earlier news conference, Shahrukh gave a boost to the state government's plan to turn the Unesco World Heritage City into an international movie hub.
"You do not need a big space for a film studio. I am prepared to help the state government in their venture to make Malacca a destination for international film makers, especially those from Bollywood."
"I love the scenery in Malacca and I think it would be a suitable place to shoot a movie," he said, adding that the various attractions and places of interest could be used to turn the whole state into a open studio.
He invited the chief minister to visit his state-of-the-art film studio in Mumbai to get an idea of what was needed to set up a studio in Malacca.
During the joint news conference with Ali, Shahrukh repeatedly thanked Khalil and the state government for the honour bestowed on him.
"I wish to thank the Malacca government for this prestigious award. I feel so honoured to receive this award given by a country that does not even understand my language."
He later said that he already has plans to shoot a movie entitled Happy New Year in Malacca. And he hopes to bring his family for a holiday soon.
After the investiture ceremony, Shahrukh toured the state, visiting Menara Taming Sari and taking a trishaw ride from the Victoria Fountain to the Eye On Malaysia for a ride on the giant ferris-wheel.
He then took the Malacca River cruise, visited Kampung Morten and finally met with fans on the grounds of the City Council building.
He then left for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to board the 8pm flight back to Mumbai.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2421841/Article/index_html
Shah Rukh Khan Mobbed By Fans In Melaka
MELAKA, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Bollywood superstar, Datuk Shah Rukh Khan, was mobbed by thousands of fans when he visited seven tourists spots here Saturday.
Fans wanted to see him up close, take photographs and get his autograph.
The spots he visited were the Menara Taming Sari, a 110m high revolving observation tower; the Big Clock Tower (Victoria Fountain); the Eye On Malaysia wheel; Jonker Walk; Padang Nyiru; a boat-ride on Sungai Melaka to the Eye On Melaka and Kampung Morten, all located in Bandar Hilir here.
Shah Rukh Khan also met his fans at the 'Konsert Jom Ke Melaka'.
Several local artistes also performed at the concert.
The Indian hearthrob, 43, was in Melaka for a day to receive the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), that carries the title of 'Datuk' in a special ceremony at Dewan Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh in the morning.
Fans were out in force since 11am although he was only supposed to start his tour at 2pm.
He was greeted with songs and cultural dances of the various ethnic groups in the state namely the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Baba-Nyonya, Portuguese and the Orang Asli.
He was also treated to displays of traditional games.
The actor who was closely guarded by bodyguards and police personnel kept smiling, waving and shaking hands with fans who jostled to get near him.
People also jostled to buy RM100 tickets to get on the Melaka River Cruise boat for the 4km ride on the Sungai Melaka. The boat's capacity is 20 passengers.
Twenty orphans from the Payasum Orphanage in Sungai Udang got to go up with him on the Menara Taming Sari.
Shah Rukh Khan also rode on a trishaw pedaled by Salleh Sam, 51, accompanied by 20 other trishaws from the tower to Big Clock Tower via Jalan Taman and Jalan Kota.
When meeting his fans at the concert, he told them he could say three phrases in Malay which were 'selamat datang' (welcome), 'jumpa lagi' (we''ll meet again) and 'terima kasih' (thank you).
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=376846
Datuk Shah Rukh enjoyed in Malaysia despite arm injury
By IANS | December 07, 2008
Malacca (Malaysia), Dec 7 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan enjoyed himself and conquered millions of hearts during a brief visit here despite an arm injury during a film shoot in Mumbai. Shah Rukh sustained the injury a day before he arrived here to receive his Datukship at a special ceremony that was delayed last month thanks to his busy schedule.
A doctor was called to give him three jabs to reduce the pain.
"My shoulder hurts, but the show must go on," the Bollywood star insisted during an exclusive interview with The Star newspaper in his luxurious hotel room at the Villa Istana here.
Khan requested his Baju Melayu (traditional attire) fitter, Ridzuan Kamal, to be gentle when moving his painful arm.
But soon, the 43-year-old Bollywood star happily slipped into the traditional Malay outfit, beamed proudly in front of Bharat K. Ajmera, the ethnic Indian owner of Villa Istana, and said of the dress: "This is something different. It feels very comfortable."
Shah Rukh had only one hour to put on his Baju Melayu, samping (wrap-around waist cloth) and songkok (headgear) before receiving his Datukship, akin to the British knighthood.
But he did not fuss over the difficulty of tying his samping Malacca-style, which was popularised by the late P. Ramlee, Malaysia's biggest theatre personality, in his classic Malay movies.
The formal function over Saturday noon, Shah Rukh took a trishaw ride under police protection during his tour of the Malacca city.
And unlike most international stars who guarded their privacy fiercely, Shah Rukh was sweet enough to let a big fan of his, Zuraidah Abdul Razak, have a look at his royal suite, which cost RM3,500 ($1,200 approx.) per night.
"I'm speechless," Zuraidah said. "I guess I was the only fan of Shah Rukh who got to see his personal belongings."
Zuraidah later presented a Malaysian batik shirt to her favourite Bollywood star.
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
4