Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan
Giona A. Nazzaro, the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, speaks with admiration as he discusses Shah Rukh Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest stars. “I don’t want to sound like a fanboy,” he says with a hint of embarrassment, “but Shah Rukh Khan represents the pure power of cinema. There’s no cynicism or manipulation—just a deep belief that storytelling through one's persona can profoundly connect with emotions.”
It's clear that Nazzaro is indeed a fan of Khan. Reflecting on the actor's impact, he likens Khan to iconic figures such as Marcello Mastroianni and Alain Delon. Nazzaro sees in Khan the same working-class charm combined with an elegant arrogance, a blend that also recalls the legacies of Rudolph Valentino and Tom Cruise. “And he makes it all look effortless,” Nazzaro adds.
Khan is set to receive the Locarno Film Festival’s 2024 lifetime achievement award, the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, on August 10. The following day, he will participate in a Q&A session at the festival.
To honor Khan, the festival will screen Devdas, a 2002 film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in which Khan stars as a wealthy law graduate who spirals into alcoholism after his family refuses to let him marry his childhood love, Parvati (played by Aishwarya Rai). The film also features Madhuri Dixit as a compassionate courtesan who offers him solace.
Nazzaro emphasizes that Locarno could have chosen any film from Khan’s extensive career to showcase his cinematic influence. “I’ve watched some of his films in India without subtitles, and everything was perfectly understandable, even without the dialogue,” Nazzaro says. “Khan embodies the belief that anyone who works hard and is decent can be a hero. He’s a devout Muslim and has consistently chosen roles that align with his values.”
Despite achieving global fame, Nazzaro points out that Khan has remained deeply rooted in the traditions of Indian cinema. “With Khan, you get the essence of Indian cinema—the music, the dances, the songs,” he notes. “But he also has an incredible ability to adapt these mythological elements to a modern context, using contemporary technology to elevate cinema to its highest potential.”
Nazzaro expresses his amazement at how Khan brings a unique innocence and joy back to storytelling, something that Western cinema seems to have lost. “With just one slow-motion shot, Khan can convey the power to move mountains,” he says, marveling at the actor’s enduring influence on global cinema.
