As a long-time gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast universe of cinema, I can confidently say that Shah Rukh Khan is not just a star, but a living embodiment of cinematic power. His performances are devoid of cynicism or manipulation, instead radiating an unwavering faith in storytelling that resonates deep within the very fabric of our emotions.
Giona A. Nazzaro, director of the Locarno Film Festival, humbly admits, “I might come off as overly enthusiastic,” but he genuinely believes that Shah Rukh Khan embodies the essence of cinematic greatness. There’s no hint of insincerity or manipulation in his admiration. Instead, there’s a simple conviction that one can express a story effectively through their persona and resonate deeply with the fundamental elements of human emotions.
Nazzaro appears to be an ardent admirer of Shah Rukh Khan. When talking about the Bollywood legend, who received Locarno’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award – Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, he draws parallels between Khan and the “popular charm of a working-class hero, such as Marcello Mastroianni,” along with the “graceful arrogance” reminiscent of Alain Delon… In Shah Rukh Khan, Nazzaro sees the evolution from Rudolph Valentino to Tom Cruise, all rolled into one individual. Remarkably, he executes this seamlessly without appearing to exert any effort at all.
Khan is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Locarno on August 10, followed by a question-and-answer session during the festival on August 11.
To honor its tradition, the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film “Devdas” (2002) will be held at Locarno. This dramatic production tells the story of Khan, a prosperous law graduate, who comes back from London to wed his childhood companion, Parvati (portrayed by Aishwarya Rai). Sadly, his family refuses their union, leading Khan into alcoholism and finding solace with a compassionate courtesan, played by Madhuri Dixit.
Nazzaro points out that Locarno had a wide range of options when choosing a movie from Shah Rukh Khan’s lengthy film career to highlight his influence on the silver screen.
“Nazzaro mentions that they’ve only viewed some of his movies in India since there are no subtitled options available, and the stories are clear without dialogue. This implies that one can follow the journey of a hero, the idea that if you’re hardworking and decent, you can be a hero. He embodies this concept perfectly. Notably, he is a devout Muslim, and all his films align with his personal beliefs.”
In his career trajectory, Khan has consistently stayed authentic to himself and adhered faithfully to the roots of Indian cinema, according to Nazzaro.
According to Nazzaro, Khan embodies authentic Indian film elements such as music, dance, and song. What sets him apart, however, is his unique ability to weave ancient mythological storylines into a contemporary context using advanced technology. This results in a cinematic experience that feels almost primitive yet incredibly modern. Western cinema had to embrace modernism to grasp narrative structures, then question it with post-modernism. Now we’re dealing with post-post-modernism and seem unable to recapture the simplicity of storytelling. But Shah Rukh Khan, with a single slow-motion shot, demonstrates that he has the power to shift mountains.
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2024-08-09 12:24