Ace Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan on Saturday become the first foreign actor to be conferred a Malaysian title, ‘Datuk,’ which is often equated with the British knighthood

Resplendent in a black baju Melayu, samping and songkok, King Khan received the title of ‘Datuk’ from Mohamad Khalil Yaacob, the Governor of Malaysia’s southern Malacca State, during a special ceremony in Malaysia.

Baju Melayu is just like ‘kurta-pajama’, while ‘samping’ is a piece of cloth men folded around the wearer’s waist, falling to the length of the long shirt.

SRK, who has a big fan base in Malaysia, held the 1,000 specially invited guests at the investiture enthralled as he got the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka, together with 76 others.

He arrived at the venue, Dewan Seri Negeri, at 10.55 a.m. He waved to his fans as he was escorted in.

Now, he will be referred to as ‘Datuk Shahrukh Khan’ and addressed as ‘Datuk’. Each and every state in Malaysia chooses its own list of people to honour with ‘Datukship.’

Most of the awardees are Malayans who have surpassed in some area of activity or are in government.

Malacca government said SRK was given the ‘Datuk’ title as six of his films were shot in the historical State and the Bollywood superstar's visit may be a boost.

Moreover, he also acted in the Hindi film, 'One 2 Ka 4’, which has scenes shot in Malaysia, including at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah.

After the ceremonial occasion, Shahrukh also said that he would star in a new film communicating the message that Islam does not support violence.

His upcoming film, ‘My Name is Khan’, which starts shooting this month, would “make clear that Islam does not in any which way tell you to be violent.”

He 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 ... it is an attempt to try and do that in an entertaining way.”

At a joint news conference with the chief minister, Shahrukh again thanked Khalil and the Melaka state government for the award bestowed on him.