Mumbai, July15: ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ or ‘King Khan’, as he is referred to, having appeared in more than 80 Bollywood films till date, is all set to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Melbourne-based La Trobe University for his contributions and efforts towards underprivileged children, women's empowerment through Meer Foundation.
Citing to his achievements in the Indian entertainment industry, Khan will be visiting Australia to attend the 10th edition of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) next month as its chief guest. said having his humanitarian endeavours recognised for the first time by the country was a great honour.
La Trobe University is the first Australian university to award Khan with an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Letters. "I am proud to be conferred with a great university like La Trobe which has a long standing relationship with Indian culture and impressive track record in advocating for women's equality”, said King Khan thanking La Trobe for choosing to recognise his achievements in such a humbling way.
Meanwhile, IFFM director Mitu Bhowmick said that the festival was lucky to have the university as a partner. “To be a part of this magnificent celebration of Shah Rukh Khan's amazing work, with La Trobe, is a matter of great joy and pride for the festival”, Bhowmick said.
"Khan is a champion of societal change whose efforts to support the equality of women in India reflect La Trobe's values of inclusiveness, equity and social justice”, said La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor John Dewar informing that Khan will be presented Honorary Doctorate on August 9 at University’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora.
"In the past eight years we have been proud to host India's iconic film stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Rajkumar Hirani with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne at La Trobe”, he signed off.