Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is set to receive the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The award, known as the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism Award, celebrates Khan’s remarkable career, which has seen him star in over 100 films across various genres. The 77th edition of the film festival will be held from August 7th to 17th, with Khan receiving his award on August 10th.
Previous recipients of the Pardo alla Carriera include renowned figures such as Italian filmmaker Francesco Rosi, Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, American singer-actor Harry Belafonte, and Malaysian filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang. Khan has also been recognized for his contributions to the arts with the French government’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the Legion d’honneur in 2014. He was further awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
The Locarno Film Festival acknowledges Khan’s global appeal, highlighting the immense popularity of his films across the world, including his recent blockbusters ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’, and ‘Dunki’. The festival describes him as a “hugely popular name amongst audiences around the world” and a representative of Indian cinema on a global stage.
The festival will pay tribute to Khan by screening his 2002 film ‘Devdas’ on August 10th in Piazza Grande. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ‘Devdas’ stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit alongside Khan. The following day, Khan will engage with the audience in a panel conversation.
Giona A. Nazzaro, the Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival, expressed his excitement about welcoming Khan, calling him a “living legend”. Nazzaro praised Khan’s contribution to Indian cinema, referring to him as a “king who has never lost touch with the audience that crowned him”. He lauded Khan as a brave artist who continuously challenges himself and consistently meets the expectations of his devoted fans, solidifying his status as a true ‘people’s hero’ and a legend of our time.
