Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan was born on the 2nd of November 1965. He is one of India’s most famous film actors, producers and television personalities, referred to in the Indian media as "Baadshah of Bollywood” (King of Bollywood) or "King Khan”. He has appeared and worked on over 80 Hindi films in genres ranging from romance and action to comedy. His Bollywood work has earned him lots of prestige and fourteen Filmfare Awards from thirty nominations. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian film. The French Government awarded him both the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the Légion d'honneur. In 2014 Khan was the second-richest actor in the world.
Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy[edit]
Khan has been a voice for many philanthropic, educational, humanitarian and social organizations. Because of his famous image he has been a successful ambassador fore these organizations in communicating with governments, but also by creating public awareness for the issues.
Humanitarian Causes and Philanthropic Donations[edit]
Khan keeps a low profile about his philanthropic work. He believes that doing charity for a reason is not charity. Khan regularly donates to organizations and individuals, especially in the case of AIDS and cancer patients. He has been involved in philanthropic endeavors related to health care, relief funds, and children's education. For all his philanthropic work he was honored with UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni award in 2011. He is the first Indian to win the accolade. A list of some of his philanthropic deeds:
Make a Wish Foundation is an NGO that works for the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and make their wishes come true. Shah Rukh Khan is a member of the board of directors of Make-A-Wish Foundation in India. Khan contributed to the creation of a children's ward at the Nanavati hospital in Mumbai. In February 2005 Khan performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Khan organized the Temptations 2005 show in New Delhi. The show raised funds for the National Centre For Promotional of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). He cooperated with India's Health Ministry and UNICEF for a nationwide child immunisation campaign, part of the National Rural Health Mission of India. In 2008 Khan participated in The Rock On For Humanity concert. Since 2009 he has been adopting villages in Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara, under the 'Light A Billion Lives’ project. In 2011 Khan worked together with Amitabh Bachchan and English actress Judi Dench to promote Resul Pookutty's foundation that works to better the living conditions of the underprivileged in India. The campaign aims to spread awareness on the cause of education among the impoverished in India and also to discourage child labor in the low income bracket of society and focus on providing opportunities to let children have a proper childhood. In 2011 he was appointed the first global ambassador of the Water supply and sanitation Collaborative Council. Khan has been a brand ambassador of various governmental campaigns throughout the years to eradicate poliomyelitis in India by vaccinating all children under the age of five years against the polio virus
