Indians and Pakistanis, we’re all the same: Shah Rukh Khan

LONDON - Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan pitched for greater harmony among South Asian people as he accepted an honorary doctorate from a British university, saying governments were best left to their own agendas.

We belong to - I know it’s a bit of a clich but - one world. Specifically I think, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka all of us, we’re the same. I really believe we are the same, Khan told journalists after being made honorary Doctor of Arts by Bedfordshire University Friday.

The doctorate in recognition of his exceptional achievement as a film actor and producer, was proposed by an Indian NGO called Routes 2 Roots, which works to bring South Asians together.

My mother is from Hyderabad in India and father is from Peshawar (in Pakistan). So I do believe in this (cultural unity).

Especially when you come away from India or Pakistan you realise there is no Indian or Pakistaniwe’re all together. We are - culturally, as human beings, as friends. These are the aspects that keep us together.

As far as the (government) agendas are concerned, let them go on.

Invited by a Pakistani journalist to visit Pakistan, said: I also do wish to go there - my family’s there.

Earlier, in his acceptance speech, Khan said he was inspired by the doctorate to work for the education of poor children in India.

While this honour is bestowed on me, I wonder if the deserving but poor and underprivileged children from India can also pursue their higher education in such universities and maybe earn a doctorate as well.

This thought has been weighing heavily on my mind and I am hopeful that I would be able to contribute to this cause in the future, he added.