August 11th 2024.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, known for his charm and wit, graced the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland where he was honored with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award - Locarno Tourism, also known as the career leopard. This award recognized his remarkable contribution to the world of cinema. As the first Indian personality to receive this honor, Shah Rukh was presented with the award on a bustling Saturday evening at the Piazza Grande square.
During his acceptance speech, the 58-year-old actor expressed his gratitude to the audience and the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, Giona A Nazzaro, for their warm welcome. "I am truly thankful to all of you for welcoming me with open arms to this beautiful, cultural, and hot city of Locarno. It feels just like being back home in India, with so many people gathered in a small square and the scorching heat. Thank you all for making these past two evenings so wonderful, especially Nazaro..." he said, acknowledging the festival's director.
Shah Rukh then went on to share his experience in Locarno, jokingly mentioning that his Italian and cooking skills have improved during his time there. "The food has been delicious, and I have learned how to cook pasta and pizza. I am also learning a lot here in Locarno," he added with a smile.
Reflecting on his diverse roles in various films, where he has played a champion, superhero, zero, dejected fan, and a resilient lover, Shah Rukh expressed his encouragement after receiving the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism at the festival. "I usually don't attend events like this, as I am not very good at socializing. I know how to act a little bit, not too much. But here I am tonight, feeling extremely encouraged by the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival. I wish you all the best," he said.
In the middle of his speech, Shah Rukh was interrupted by a fan's loud declaration of love. In response, he lovingly replied, "I love you too." He then joked that all romantic interludes were welcome after his speech, as at the Locarno Film Festival, "we all need to sound intellectual."
The actor then lifted the trophy and admitted that he struggles to pronounce the name of the award. After the host demonstrated how to say Pardo alla Carriera award - Locarno Tourism, Shah Rukh quipped, "Which, in English, means the leopard award for being the most awesome in the world and the history of mankind."
According to the festival, the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism honors individuals whose artistic contributions have redefined cinema and captured the collective imagination. Shah Rukh then playfully asked the artistic director of the festival, "Next year, can you call me Nazzaro? Can you give me a shorter name?"
In recognition of his illustrious career, the festival screened Shah Rukh's 2002 hit film, "Devdas," directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actor humbly accepted the award and promised to continue embodying various aspects of life and emotions through his work. "These awards encourage me to keep trying, to give that one more take, one more shot, and one more emotion. Hopefully, I can also spread some love and joy to all of you watching the next film tonight, in this square with 8,000 people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from India," he said, concluding his speech with "Namaskar," "Dhanyawaad," and "God bless you all."
Shah Rukh has been a prominent figure in the Hindi film industry for over three decades, with blockbuster hits such as "Darr," "Baazigar," "Dil To Pagal Hai," "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," "Devdas," "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," and many more. After a five-year hiatus, he made a comeback in 2023 with the action-packed film "Pathaan," followed by two back-to-back releases, the hit "Jawan" and the socially relevant film "Dunki."
On Sunday, the actor is set to take part in a public Q&A session at the Forum @ Spazio Cinema. Previous recipients of the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award include Italian filmmaker Francesco Rosi, American singer-actor Harry Belafonte, and Malaysian director Tsai Ming-Liang.
In conclusion, the 77th Locarno Film Festival was a memorable experience for Shah Rukh Khan, who was honored with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award - Locarno Tourism. His acceptance speech was filled with gratitude, humor, and appreciation for the festival and its organizers. As a beloved and respected figure in the Indian film industry, Shah Rukh expressed his promise to continue entertaining and inspiring audiences through his work.
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