SWITZERLAND, Locarno, Aug 11: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was celebrated for his illustrious career at the 77th Locarno Film Festival on Saturday, where he received a prestigious career achievement honor. Known for his charismatic screen presence and quick wit, Khan delivered a memorable acceptance speech that combined heartfelt reflections with his signature humor.

Addressing a crowd of 8,000 in the Piazza Grande, Khan expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome. "Thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms—wider than the ones I do on screen," he joked, referring to his iconic open-armed pose.

Khan praised the festival’s setting, describing Locarno as "a very beautiful, very cultural, very artistic, and extremely hot city." He humorously compared the packed and sweltering Piazza Grande to the heat of India, noting that the temperature reached 95º F (35º C) that day.

Transitioning to a more serious tone, Khan shared his thoughts on cinema and creativity. "I truly believe cinema has been the most profound and influential artistic medium of our age," he said. He emphasized art's universal nature, stating that it should transcend boundaries and express heartfelt truths rather than adhere to political or intellectual constraints.

Khan spoke about the connection between creativity and emotion, asserting, "There is no creativity without love, which is a language that transcends all languages and is comprehended by everyone around the world." He highlighted that creativity, love, and joy are interconnected.

Reflecting on his 35-year career, Khan highlighted the variety of roles he has played, from villains to heroes. "I’ve been a villain, I’ve been a champ, I’ve been a superhero, I’ve been a zero, I’ve been a rejected fan, and I’ve been a very, very resilient lover," he noted.

Adding a humorous touch, Khan struggled to pronounce the award's formal name—Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism—before rebranding it as "the Leopard award for being the most awesome in the world, in the history of humility and kindness and goodness."

Festival director Giona A. Nazzaro explained the decision to honor Khan, stating, "We wanted to award Shah Rukh Khan because he’s a great artist who has carried the dreams and hopes of many through his work ethic and discipline. He has made the dreams of many come true."

Concluding his speech, Khan promised to continue exploring new facets of his craft. "Awards like this encourage me to keep on trying to embody all the facets of life, all the emotions, and to give that one more take, one more shot, one more emotion," he said. As the crowd cheered, Khan humorously suggested shortening the award’s name to “arrivederci” before making one last attempt at pronunciation.

The festival's recognition of Khan underscores its commitment to celebrating both popular cinema and artistic achievements.