Shah Rukh Khan to Receive Honourary Leopard Achievement Award at Locarno Film Festival
Shah Rukh Khan is set to be honoured with the prestigious Honorary Leopard Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to be honoured with the prestigious Honorary Leopard Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival today. Known for his magnetic screen presence and unparalleled charisma, Khan's recognition at this distinguished event has created a buzz in the film world.
The anticipation surrounding the event was heightened with the release of a striking poster by the Locarno Film Festival, which was shared on the festival's official Instagram account. The poster features Khan in a sleek black blazer and matching trousers, exuding sophistication. His look is further enhanced by his signature long hair, a stylish wristwatch, and a pendant necklace, completing an elegant and iconic image.
Giona A. Nazzaro, the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, spoke highly of Khan, describing him as "the quintessential power of cinema." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nazzaro emphasized that there is no cynicism or manipulation in Khan's work, only a profound belief in the power of storytelling through persona, capable of touching the core of human emotions. He likened Khan's cinematic presence to the iconic stars of both the past and present, blending the popular glamour of a working-class hero like Marcello Mastroianni with the elegance of Alain Delon.
Khan will be honoured with the festival's lifetime achievement award, the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, on August 10. Additionally, he is scheduled to participate in a Q&A session on August 11. To pay tribute to Khan's illustrious career, the festival will screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2002 film Devdas, in which Khan portrays a wealthy law graduate whose life spirals into turmoil after family rejection and personal setbacks. Nazzaro praised Devdas as a quintessential example of Khan's impact, highlighting how his performances resonate universally, even when viewed in their original context without subtitles.
Nazzaro further elaborated on Khan's unique position in global cinema, stating, "Khan embodies the true unmistakable elements of Indian cinema, blending music, dance, and narrative mythologies with modern technology to create a unique cinematic experience." He also remarked on Khan's ability to capture the essence of storytelling, noting, "In Shah Rukh Khan, you see a man who can move mountains with just one slo-mo shot," as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Previous recipients of the Locarno Honorary Leopard include esteemed figures such as Tsai Ming-liang, Francesco Rosi, Claudia Cardinale, Johnnie To, Harry Belafonte, Mario Adorf, Jane Birkin, and Costa-Gavras. This award comes on the heels of an incredibly successful year for Khan, who released three blockbuster films in 2023—Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki—all of which achieved massive success.
Looking ahead, Khan is reportedly gearing up to begin shooting for his upcoming film King. A recent video of Khan, widely shared on social media, has sparked excitement among fans who spotted what appears to be the film's script lying on a table beside him. The video was from a clip of Khan congratulating cinematographer Santosh Sivan after he received the prestigious Pierre Angenieux Excel Lens Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The script reportedly contained some additional details on its cover, though they were not clearly visible in the video. If reports are accurate, King will be directed by Sujoy Ghosh and is set to feature Khan's daughter, Suhana, in a starring role.