Celebrated Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan is set to be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the upcoming 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. This esteemed accolade, known as the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism Award, recognizes Khan’s outstanding career spanning an impressive repertoire of over 100 films across diverse genres. Scheduled from August 7 to 17, the festival has a history of honoring luminaries such as Italian filmmaker Francesco Rosi, Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, American entertainer Harry Belafonte, and Malaysian director Tsai Ming-Liang with this distinguished award.
Renowned for his cinematic contributions, ShahRukh Khan has been previously acknowledged by receiving accolades like the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 2007 and the Légion d’honneur in 2014. Additionally, he was conferred with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his exceptional achievements in cinema. Notably, Khan’s films Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki garnered significant commercial success and critical acclaim in 2023.
Recognizing his global appeal and immense popularity across borders, Shah Rukh Khan has been a prominent figure representing Indian cinema at various prestigious international film festivals worldwide. The Locarno Film Festival expressed admiration for Khan’s widespread appeal and noted that his movies have resonated with audiences globally.
The highlight of this year’s festival will be Shah Rukh Khan receiving his award on August 10 at Piazza Grande followed by a special screening of his iconic film Devdas directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit. The next day will see Khan engaging in a public interaction during a panel discussion.
Giona A. Nazzaro, Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival, expressed delight in welcoming Shah Rukh Khan as he lauded him as an exemplary artist who continues to captivate audiences worldwide while staying true to his roots. Nazzaro hailed Khan as a courageous performer who consistently meets fans’ expectations, labeling him as a true ‘people’s hero’ and a contemporary legend in Indian Cinema.
