Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan recently took centre stage in Dubai as he was honoured with the Global Style Icon Award at the inaugural Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards. The prestigious ceremony, held at the Armani Hotel Dubai, marked the grand finale of the two-day Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion and celebrated global excellence in style, culture and influence.

Making a suave appearance at the high-profile gala, Shah Rukh Khan was presented the award by Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties. The moment was met with loud applause as the two shared a warm embrace, underlining the camaraderie between the global business leader and the Bollywood icon. Alabbar described Khan as the biggest inspiration behind the event, crediting him for his unparalleled global appeal and enduring impact on fashion.

True to his humble persona, the 59-year-old actor downplayed his style credentials while accepting the honour. “I don’t know much about fashion. I usually just wear blue jeans and a white shirt,” Shah Rukh quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. He also jokingly suggested that the award might have been influenced by friendship, adding with his trademark wit that Alabbar may have “pulled a few strings.”

The evening also proved special for designer Manish Malhotra, who dressed Shah Rukh Khan for the occasion in a sharp, tailored suit and won the Couture Designer of the Year award. Shah Rukh fondly acknowledged their long-standing collaboration, recalling how Malhotra’s designs have been a part of several of his films and public appearances over the years.

Ahead of the award night, Shah Rukh Khan attended a private winners’ dinner in Dubai, where he was seen sporting his signature effortless style, a black t-shirt layered with a blazer, paired with fitted cargo denim, sneakers and a casual beanie. The look once again reinforced why the actor continues to be regarded as a global style icon decades into his career.