Shah Rukh Khan has made history as the first Indian recipient of the Locarno Film Festival’s Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award.
Recently, Shah Rukh attended the Swiss film festival, where his 2002 film Devdas was showcased for the audience.
Salman Khan had previously mentioned that he had secured the rights to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film long before its release, calling it “one of the best experiences of his life.” Before Devdas was screened at the Locarno Film Festival, Shah Rukh Khan revealed during a masterclass that his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, had acquired the rights to the film.
Khan described the acquisition as “one of the best experiences of my life,” expressing pride in the fact that the film now belongs to his company.
Reflecting on Devdas’s impact, Shah Rukh Khan discussed the challenges of releasing the 2002 film. He noted that when Bhansali was set to direct, the concept seemed outdated due to the existence of 18 previous versions, and there was significant pressure to present a new take.
Khan noted that audiences of the time favored lighter, more entertaining films, such as college musicals, and that India was shifting towards a more liberal cultural climate. He referred to Devdas as “the most expensive film” made in India, highlighting its production struggles and financial issues.
Recalling his experiences on the set of Devdas, Shah Rukh Khan fondly remembered the joy he found in making the film, which he dedicated to his mother, who adored the film. Despite being advised against taking the role, Khan chose to participate to fulfill a childhood dream and honor his mother.
Devdas, which also starred Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, and others, was adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1917 novel of the same name.
