Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been recruited by Interpol to fight organised crime globally.
The Bollywood actor was named a celebrity ambassador for the international crimefighting body on Wednesday.
Khan has a vast body of work in the Hindi film industry -- usually playing the good guy, although he began his career in negative roles -- and is hugely influential in India. He will spearhead the Turn Back Crime campaign.
“It’s a very special honour to be a part of INTERPOL’s Turn Back Crime Campaign as an Ambassador,"Khan said in a statement. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering, if I have to.’. We all should believe in this maxim and in whatever way possible resolve not to let unjust people who might threaten us with criminal activity make us fear them. Because I believe we can, we should, and we must stand together against the few who commit crimes against any human being, in whatever form or guise these crimes might take".
The actor was invited by the Lyon-based organisation's Secretary General, Ronald Noble, who in a handwritten note on his letter of invitation, refers to Khan as "my dear friend".
“Shah Rukh Khan has dedicated his life to making films which reflect the highest level of professionalism and commitment to bringing joy into the lives of hundreds of millions of filmgoers in India and around the world,” said Noble.
The first Indian ambassador to Interpol, Khan joins Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan in the capacity.
Khan's next film, set in Dubai, is Happy New Year, a heist comedy due to release during Diwali on October 24 this year.
The campaign aims to inform the general public about organised crime, "raising public awareness that organized crime is often involved in seemingly unrelated crimes.
Drugs trafficking, people smuggling, counterfeiting, cybercrime, kidnapping, crimes against children and corruption in sport are in fact often interconnected, with profits from one crime area used to fund another," the Interpol statement said.
"INTERPOL's Turn Back Crime campaign is aimed at helping the public better understand these issues and empowering them not to be duped by criminals when buying products or using the Internet.
