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©Rohan Shrestha
Popularly known in India as ‘King Khan’ – the emperor (‘Baadshah’) of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan has become a living symbol portraying the vibrance and vitality of Indian cinema. The actor will receive the award on the evening of Saturday, August 10 on Piazza Grande. In addition, a key film from Khan’s career – Devdas (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 2002) – will be screened during the Festival and introduced by the actor himself, who will also appear at the Cinema GranRex for a panel conversation open to the public on Sunday, August 11 (booking required).
Many of Shah Rukh Khan’s films are loved globally and have made him a hugely popular name amongst audiences around the world, leading him to represent his country and many of his films across numerous prestigious film festivals across the globe.
His breakout role was in the romantic thriller Baazigar (1993), where Khan starred as a murderous but sympathetic anti-hero on a quest for vengeance. A few years later he would be propelled to superstar status on the back of a timeless romantic drama, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and a love-story across timelines, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). At the same time, the enormity of this newfound fame did not deter Khan from taking on roles that were different and much ahead of their times, such as Rahul in Darr (1993), a romantic psychological thriller directed by Yash Chopra, or as a journalist who falls in love with a terrorist in the epic Dil Se.. (1998) by Mani Ratnam.
In the subsequent two decades, Khan’s career would feature high-profile collaborations with some of India’s most prominent directors and stars, leading to tremendous recognition internationally as well. Khan was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the Légion d'honneur in 2014 by the French government. Shah Rukh Khan’s recent releases include three films that released in 2023, Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki, all of which were huge commercial successes and garnered immense appreciation from global audiences. Jawan, produced by Khan’s own production house, Red Chillies Entertainement, has entered history books as the highest grossing Hindi film ever, reaffirming the actor’s status as one of the most beloved Indian stars of his generation.
Giona A. Nazzaro, Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival: “To welcome a living legend like Shah Rukh Khan in Locarno is a dream come true! The wealth and breadth of his contribution to Indian cinema is unprecedented. Khan is a king who has never lost touch with the audience that crowned him. This brave and daring artist has always been willing to challenge himself while remaining true to what his fans all over the world eagerly expect from his films. A true ‘people’s hero’, sophisticated and down to earth, Shah Rukh Khan is a legend of our times.”
The Tribute Program
Shah Rukh Khan will be in Piazza Grande to receive the award on the evening of Saturday, August 10. A key film from SRK's career will be shown and introduced by the actor during Locarno77:
Devdas by Sanjay Leela Bhansali – India – 2002
On Sunday, August 11 at 5.00 PM the public will have a chance to meet with the actor during a panel conversation to be held at the Cinema GranRex (free entry with accreditation, booking required). Tickets are available here.
The Pardo alla Carriera is made possible thanks to the support of Ascona-Locarno Tourism, the destination partner of the Locarno Film Festival, which is tasked with fostering the development and promotion of tourism in Lake Maggiore and the natural beauty surrounding Locarno. Nestled between lake and mountains, Locarno serves as a breathtaking backdrop for its film festival, where the intertwining of natural landscape and cultural celebration creates an immersive experience. As the only major film festival set in nature, the audience can enjoy a 360° cinematic experience against the scenic surroundings of the Ascona-Locarno region.
Previous winners of the Pardo alla Carriera have included Francesco Rosi, Claude Goretta, Bruno Ganz, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Peter-Christian Fueter, Sergio Castellitto, Víctor Erice, Marlen Khutsiev, Bulle Ogier, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, Fredi M. Murer, Dante Spinotti, Costa-Gavras, and, in 2023, Tsai Ming-liang.
Born in 1965 in New Delhi, Shah Rukh Khan has been one of Bollywood’s most recognizable faces for over thirty years. Starting in television in the late 1980s, Khan transitioned to feature films with Deewana (1992) and, over the next few years, became a superstar in Indian cinema and a global icon, acting in musicals, crime films, historical dramas, and many more genres. In 2002, Khan founded his own production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, which has remained a key player in the Hindi-language film industry. He has appeared in over 100 feature films, and his many accolades include 14 Filmfare Awards, the Padma Shri – given by the Government of India – and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Légion d’honneur by the Government of France.
The 77th Locarno Film Festival will take place from 7 to 17 August 2024.