The global appeal of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan continues to soar as he adds another accolade to his illustrious career. The iconic actor, often hailed as the king of Indian cinema, was honored with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera Award at the Locarno Film Festival 2024, held in Switzerland.

Dressed in a sharp black ensemble featuring a matching blazer, Khan received the award for his remarkable contributions to cinema. His acceptance speech quickly went viral, capturing the hearts of his fans worldwide.

“This Journey Has Taught Me a Lot”

In his speech, Shah Rukh Khan humorously admitted his struggle with pronouncing the award’s name. He said, “It is a beautiful, cultural, and hot evening here at Locarno, and I sincerely thank you all for welcoming me with open arms. I believe that cinema is an artistic medium that profoundly impacts lives. I am fortunate to have been part of this journey, which has taught me so much.”

Creativity Rooted in Love

Addressing the relationship between creativity and emotion, Khan remarked, “There is no creativity without love. Love is a language that transcends all others. For me, creativity, love, and the feeling of being loved are intertwined.”

“I Am a Villain, a Hero, and Everything In Between”

In a light-hearted moment, Khan reflected on the diverse roles he has played throughout his career, saying, “I have been a villain, a champion, a superhero, a zero, a rejected fan, and a lover.” He then jokingly referred to the Pardo Award as the “Leopard Award,” quipping that he received it because he’s “the funniest person in the world.”

King Khan comes to town. Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) at the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival for our Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism.

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Photo by Davide Padovan, produced in collaboration with BaseCamp Festival#Locarno77 pic.twitter.com/Yu01WaBp6A

— Locarno Film Festival (@FilmFestLocarno) August 10, 2024

“Namaskar and Thank You”

Khan closed his speech with a heartfelt message: “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of the whole of India. Namaskar and Thank You. May God bless you all.”