Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan to be Honored With Locarno Film Festival Career Award

Digital Desk: Shah Rukh Khan is set to receive the Honorary Leopard Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival, honoring his illustrious career in Indian cinema spanning over 100 films across a diverse range of genres. Known affectionately in India as ‘King Khan’ and the ‘Baadshah’ of Bollywood, he epitomizes the vibrancy and dynamism of Indian filmmaking.

The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 10 at Piazza Grande, where Shah Rukh Khan will be recognized. As part of the festival's tribute, one of his pivotal films, "Devdas" (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 2002), will be screened, and he will engage in a public conversation at the Forum @Spazio Cinema on Sunday, August 11.

Giona A. Nazzaro, the Artistic Director, expressed his excitement, stating, “To welcome a living legend like Shah Rukh Khan to Locarno is a dream come true! His unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema make him a true ‘people’s hero’, beloved for his sophistication and down-to-earth demeanor.”

Shah Rukh Khan's global popularity is underscored by his films' universal appeal, which has resonated worldwide and earned him representation at numerous prestigious international film festivals. His career includes iconic performances in films such as "Baazigar" (1993), "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (1995), and "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998), each marking milestones in Indian cinema.

Recently, Shah Rukh Khan’s films "Pathaan," "Jawan," and "Dunki" have continued his tradition of commercial success and acclaim on a global scale.

This recognition at Locarno adds to Shah Rukh Khan’s international honors, including the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the Légion d’honneur in 2014 from the French government, affirming his status as a global icon of cinema.