Triumph and Nostalgia: Shah Rukh Khan’s Historic Honor at Locarno Film Festival

Global superstar Shah Rukh Khan was recently celebrated at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, receiving the prestigious Pardo Alla Carriera award. This accolade underscores Khan’s significant contributions to global cinema, representing a triumphant moment for both him and the Indian film industry. The ceremony was held in the iconic Piazza Grande, attracting over 8,000 attendees keen to hear Khan’s acceptance speech.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Khan shared his heartfelt thoughts on revisiting Switzerland after a long break. Humorous and nostalgic, he commented on the uncharacteristically warm weather, comparing it to Mumbai’s climate. He reminisced about shooting memorable films, particularly those directed by the late Yash Chopra, in Switzerland’s picturesque locales. “Send me pictures from there. It’s been so long I don’t remember them,” he said with a smile, recalling the excitement of filming in the country during the late 1990s. “When I started off in the late 90s, to be here was a big thing. And now, when I come so many years later, people remember those things. Yeah, it’s very happy,” he added.

Khan’s historic receipt of the Pardo Alla Carriera award, marking him the first Indian actor to be honored at the Locarno Film Festival, is a proud moment for Indian cinema. Reflecting on this achievement, Khan expressed his fondness for the festival’s intimate setting and dignified award ceremony. “I love the coziness of this place, the dignity with which they do the award function. So I’m very happy to be here and really thrilled,” he remarked.