At the prestigious Locarno Film Festival, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan is set to receive the festival’s Honorary Leopard Achievement Award. The film community is abuzz with excitement as Khan, renowned for his commanding screen presence and charismatic performances, is honoured with this esteemed recognition.
Ahead of the event, the festival unveiled a striking poster featuring Shah Rukh Khan. Shared on the festival’s official Instagram account, the poster showcases Khan in a sleek black blazer and matching trousers, radiating sophistication. His signature long hair, stylish wristwatch, and pendant necklace further enhance his elegant look.
Locarno Film Festival artistic director Giona A Nazzaro praised Khan’s cinematic impact, stating, “Shah Rukh Khan is the quintessential power of cinema. There is no cynicism, there is no manipulation. Just this basic faith that you can tell a story through your persona and touch on the very profound building blocks of emotions.”
Nazzaro drew comparisons between Khan and iconic stars like Marcello Mastroianni and Alain Delon, noting the blend of “popular glamour” and “elegance” in Khan’s presence.
Khan will be honoured with the festival’s lifetime achievement award, the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, on August 10. He is also scheduled for a Q&A session on August 11, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In celebration of Khan’s illustrious career, the festival will screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas, where Khan portrays a wealthy law graduate whose life unravels amidst family rejection and personal turmoil. Nazzaro praised Devdas as a quintessential example of Khan’s impact, highlighting how his performances resonate universally even without subtitles.
Nazzaro highlighted Khan’s unique position in global cinema, stating, “Khan embodies the true unmistakable elements of Indian cinema, blending music, dance, and narrative mythologies with modern technology to create a unique cinematic experience.”
He remarked on Khan’s storytelling prowess, noting, “In Shah Rukh Khan, you see a man, who can move mountains with just one slo-mo shot,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Previous recipients of Locarno’s Honorary Leopard include Tsai Ming-liang, Francesco Rosi, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, and Costa-Gavras. The award comes following SRK’s highly successful 2023, marked by the release of three blockbuster hits: Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki.
Khan is also gearing up to begin shooting for his upcoming film King. Recently, a video of Khan congratulating cinematographer Santosh Sivan after receiving the prestigious Pierre Angenieux Excel Lens Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival revealed a glimpse of the King script lying on the table beside him.
Reports suggest that the film, set to star Shah Rukh’s daughter Suhana, will be directed by Sujoy Ghosh.
