Shah Rukh Khan has once again proved that he is the superstar. The Bollywood actor yesterday received an award at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos for raising awareness about human rights issues and his work for acid attack victims.
"We, the powerful, need to get out of the way, to pick the barriers apart, the ones that give us names and races and colours and hierarchies," he said.
"That is what I have learned from my beautifully scarred women," he added, referring to the acid victims.
One of the most recognised faces of Indian cinema globally, SRK is a founder of a non-profit foundation which provides support to female victims of acid attacks and major burn injuries through medical treatment, legal aid, vocational training, rehabilitation and livelihood support.
With this, Shah Rukh has brought heavy star power to the agenda, as one of the biggest celebrities in India, where high-profile cases of sexual violence have caused shockwaves in recent years.
Australian actress Cate Blanchett received a Crystal Award for her work with people who have fled their homes. British singer-songwriter Elton John received his for his charitable work with his AIDS foundation.
The Crystal Award is given by the WEF to artistes who make a positive change in society.
The awards were presented at a ceremony in the village of Davos, in the Swiss Alps, where some of the world's top policymakers and executives have begun gathering for the annual meeting.
The past awardees from India include Amitabh Bachchan, Mallika Sarabhai, AR Rahman, Shabana Azmi, Ravi Shankar and Amjad Ali Khan.
