Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has added yet another accolade to his illustrious career. On August 10, Khan became the first Indian personality to receive the prestigious lifetime achievement award, the Pardo alla Carriera (Career Leopard), at the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival.
Khan, often referred to as “King Khan,” captivated the audience with his undeniable charm, as visuals from the event quickly made their way online. Dressed in a sleek black blazer paired with matching trousers, Khan’s dapper appearance, accentuated by his long hair, left fans and attendees in awe.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Khan’s speech, which was met with constant cheers and enthusiastic reactions. The Locarno Film Festival’s official Instagram handle was soon flooded with pictures and videos of the star, capturing his magnetic presence.
According to Variety, Khan opened his speech by expressing gratitude for the warm reception. “Thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms – wider than the ones I do on screen,” he quipped, playfully referencing his iconic open-armed pose.
He also praised the festival’s location, saying, “It’s a very beautiful, very cultural, very artistic, and extremely hot city of Locarno. So many people stuffed up in a little square and so hot. It’s just like being home in India.”
Khan then shared his thoughts on the profound impact of cinema, calling it the most influential artistic medium of our time. “I’ve had the privilege of being part of this for many years, and this journey has taught me a few lessons,” he said.
He emphasized the universal nature of art and filmmaking, stating, “Art is the act of affirming life above all. It transcends every man-made boundary into a space of liberation. It need not be political, polemical, sermonizing, intellectualizing, or moralizing.”
“Art and cinema only need to express what they feel from the heart, to convey their own truth. And that, to me, is the essence of creativity, honestly,” he added.
Reflecting on his 35-year career in the film industry, Khan highlighted the diverse roles he has portrayed. “I’ve been a villain, a champ, a superhero, a zero, a rejected fan, and a very, very resilient lover,” he recounted.
The ‘Jawan’ star concluded his speech by reassuring the audience that he would continue to push his creative boundaries. “Awards like this encourage me to keep striving to embody all facets of life, to convey all emotions, and to always give one more take, one more shot, one more emotion, and hopefully a little bit of love, so that all of you feel a little joyful,” he said.
True to his reputation, Khan ended with a touch of humor, attempting to pronounce the award’s name one last time before laughing and saying, “Can you keep a shorter name? Just like, ‘arrivederci.'”
As part of the Locarno tribute, the festival is also screening Khan’s 2002 hit film “Devdas,” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.