French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Tuesday conferred his country’s highest award - Knight of the Legion of Honour - on Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world.
“There are different moments in life that make you feel that you are on the right track, and this is one such moment. I am truly humbled to receive this honour,” said Shahrukh, thanking French President Francois Hollande and Foreign Minister Fabius for finding him “fitting for this honour”.
The Bollywood superstar mentioned that it was an extra special day, since it was also his mother’s birthday. “If she was alive, she would have been extremely happy that her son has gotten the highest and the most prestigious honour in the world... so thank you, on behalf of my mother,” Shahrukh said.
He expressed his pride for being recognized for the field he felt most passionately about. “This honour has further motivated me to take Indian cinema to the next level of acceptance, love and glory. And thank you, France for being so loving and appreciative of Indian films, it’s extremely encouraging,” he said.
Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is the highest award given by the France for outstanding service to the country, regardless of the nationality of the recipients. It was conferred on SRK at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
Thank u France & His Excellency President Hollande & Mr. Laurent (fabulous) Fabius for the honour. Thx my India. pic.twitter.com/LDvjjjEVIh
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 1, 2014
Mommy would have been so proud. & the Indian Film Industry, Thanx for taking a nobody & making his dreams come true. pic.twitter.com/aVHqvdBBJG
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 1, 2014
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2014.
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COMMENTS (10)
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I don't think it concerns us here in Pakistan if SRK gets an award? I wonder what does ET want to prove by publishing such stories...
@junaid: WOW!! you desperately need some Burnol to sooth your backside. For past 67 years, you people have been waiting for a level playing field in every case and you still don't have it. Does it not make you think that there may never be a level playing field for you when competing with India? Rather, why do you even think you are in same league as India? Why don't you compare yourself to, lets say Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka, which pretty much is your league? The only common thing you have with India is a nuclear weapon and the ONLY uncommon thing you have with these other countries is also a nuclear weapon. Now why SRK getting award from France, is just pure business sense. Indian producers shoot movies all across the world for beautiful landscapes and France may offer such locations. It helps France two ways. The entire film unit visits France, which boosts local tourism plus for the dance and song sequences, foreign national gets jobs as well. And then when these movies are watched by cash rich people in India, they would plan their vacations for such places, again good tourism business for France.
Agree with @Tani, only correction I would make is that Indian(s) have been getting the French Legion of Honour almost every year since the late 1990s.
Point to note is that France has always been an important counter to the US/UK and still has considerable influence over francophone countries in Middle East and Africa.
This is how indian muslims are different from pakistani muslims!! pakistanis needs to grow up!!
@anshul srk and aishwariya rai are both popular in France since 2002. aish is always seen in their film festival and interviews. They are fans of movie devdas , hum dil de chute sanam etc. Your theory doesn't hold much water because india has been getting French over since 1934. When india was not even their partner,ally or strong to be considered important globally or politically. So far 25 indians have got such honour since 1934. Previous was lata mangeshkar in 2007. They get these honours because of their eminence contribution in their field on merit not politics or charity this is not some cheap South asian political party awards but highest French honour award. See the list of other country people who got it... You will know the value of it. Before making such loose statements.
I dont think Bollywood or SRK that much popular in France. It is just because France is closest strategic partner after Russia and recent developments shows it will be no.1 soon. so just Goodwill/Political move. anyway congrats SRK ;)
@junaid who is stopping you to get budget for movie? or you are just waiting for any Western aid for the same? & WHY YOU ARE ALWAYS TRY TO COMPARE YOURSELF WITH INDIA??
it is a political move ( courtship with BJP) disguised in a social one by France. SRK ( and Bollywood Films) is more popular in Middle East , Africa, USA and European Union sans France & Germany.
No I dont. ET why r u so obsessed with bollywood and Indian news. We have enuf talent in Pakistan which can beat anyone it is just we dont have level playing field. Can we get same budget which an Indian movie gets? We have been making dramas at a much lower price than Indian dramas with better content. Please promote our cinema and not India. ET please publish this. I thought this is a Pakistani paper.