Mumbai, 06 July 2024 - Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is set to be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival. The festival's official site announced on July 2 that the award recognizes Shahrukh's outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.

Starting his acting journey on the small screen with the serial 'Fauji,' Shahrukh Khan has dominated the Hindi film industry for over three decades, earning the title of "King Khan." Despite facing a challenging period between 2018 and 2022, where he contemplated quitting acting due to a series of unsuccessful films, Shahrukh made a triumphant return with three consecutive hits last year.

Jonah A. Nazzaro, the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, expressed his admiration for Shahrukh Khan in a statement: "Welcoming a living legend like Shah Rukh Khan to Locarno is a dream come true! His contribution to Indian cinema is unprecedented. Shah Rukh Khan is a king who never lost the audience who crowned him."

Describing Shahrukh as a "People's Hero," Nazzaro highlighted his willingness to challenge himself and his enduring connection with fans worldwide. Shahrukh will receive the award on August 10 at the Piazza Grande, an open-air venue. Additionally, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial debut 'Devdas,' starring Shahrukh, will be screened at the festival. Shahrukh will also participate in a special interview at 'Forum at Spaggio Cinema' on August 11.

Shahrukh Khan first gained significant recognition in Bollywood with the 1993 movie 'Darr,' directed by Yash Chopra and produced by Yash Raj Films. In the film, Shahrukh played an anti-hero, obsessively in love with Juhi Chawla's character, marking a pivotal moment in his career and showcasing his versatility as an actor.