Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to be honored with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera lifetime achievement award at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival. This accolade recognizes his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. The festival organizers announced this exciting update on Tuesday.
Giona A. Nazzaro, the Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival, expressed his admiration for Khan, stating, “To welcome a living legend like Shah Rukh Khan to 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.”
Shah Rukh Khan will receive the award on August 10 at the open-air venue Piazza Grande. Additionally, one of his most iconic films, “Devdas,” directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will be screened during the festival. On August 11, Khan will engage in a conversation at the Forum @Spazio Cinema.
Previous recipients of the Locarno’s Honorary Leopard include renowned figures such as Tsai Ming-liang, Francesco Rosi, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, and Costa-Gavras.
This honor comes after a highly successful 2023 for Shah Rukh Khan, marked by the release of three blockbuster films: “Pathaan,” “Jawan,” and “Dunki.”
Looking ahead, Shah Rukh is reportedly set to begin shooting for his upcoming film “King.” A recent video widely shared on social media showed SRK with what appeared to be the script for “King” on a table beside him. The video clip was from SRK congratulating cinematographer Santosh Sivan on receiving the prestigious Pierre Angenieux Excel Lens Award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is rumored to be directed by Sujoy Ghosh and will also feature Shah Rukh’s daughter, Suhana, in a significant role.
Fans and the film industry eagerly anticipate more details about “King” and look forward to seeing Shah Rukh Khan’s continued impact on cinema.
