Shah Rukh Khan’s universal appeal knows no bounds, recently resonating at Lake Maggiore, where he was bestowed with the prestigious Pardo Alla Carriera award at the Locarno Film Festival. This accolade recognized Shah Rukh for his substantial contributions to Indian cinema. Following the award ceremony, he engaged in an insightful discussion with the festival’s artistic director, Giona A Nazarro, offering a glimpse into his thoughts and reflections on cinema. The conversation was rich, with Shah Rukh sharing his quick wit and profound understanding of how his mind processes the vast landscape of Indian cinema, encompassing its diverse languages and cultures.
A significant part of the dialogue revolved around the diversity inherent in Indian cinema, which is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Shah Rukh emphasized that Indian cinema cannot be confined to regional categories. He articulated, “Honestly, to regionalise Indian cinema is wrong. The country is so vast that we don’t have different dialects across the nation, but different languages altogether. Be it Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati… it is all Indian cinema.” His words underscore the complexity and richness of Indian cinema, which spans multiple languages, each with its own unique storytelling traditions.
Having collaborated with many prominent figures across these languages, Shah Rukh’s observation was astute and grounded in experience. He remarked, “Some of the best storytelling comes from the South of India. Some of the greatest superstars of Indian cinema are from Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, etc… Of course, we know of them in India, but with films like Jawan, Baahubali, and RRR, everybody is noticing it.” Shah Rukh has often incorporated South Indian technicians into his Hindi films, recognizing their cinematic and technical expertise. He credited his work with Mani Ratnam on the film “Dil Se” for igniting his desire to explore the “South” genre further. However, working with a South Indian director was not enough; Shah Rukh sought to immerse himself deeper into the vibrant and dynamic world of South Indian cinema.
This desire eventually led to his collaboration with Tamil director Atlee on the film “Jawan.” Shah Rukh explained that different regions of India have distinct approaches to storytelling, with the South known for its grand, larger-than-life narratives. He shared, “South has a larger-than-life approach. It is very robust with a lot of music going on. They love their heroes to be larger-than-life. I really enjoyed acting in such a film. It was very theatrical. It was very colourful, and lovely.” This experience was a new and enriching one for Shah Rukh, who also touched upon the linguistic barriers he faced while working with Atlee. Despite these challenges, they found ways to communicate, often relying on gestures. Shah Rukh recalled, “After a point, we just started gesticulating. Atlee is a wonderful guy, and he was kind enough to name his son after my dad. Whenever I asked him if a take was okay, he would say ‘Mass’. It meant good. It was a lot of shaking of hands, eating idly, dosa, and chilli chicken.”
Shah Rukh’s enthusiasm for South Indian cinema was evident as he highlighted the talent involved in “Jawan.” The film featured acclaimed South Indian actors like Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara, with editing by Ruben, making it a unique fusion of Hindi and South Indian cinema. “We had some wonderful actors from the South. We had Vijay Sethupathi. We had Nayanthara ji. We had editing by Ruben. In fact, Jawan was the first fusion of Hindi and South Indian cinema that transcended boundaries. People loved the film, and it did a lot of business. Jawan was such a great experience,” he noted. The film’s success is a testament to the growing recognition and appreciation of South Indian cinema on a global scale, driven by its distinctive style and storytelling prowess.
Looking ahead, Shah Rukh Khan revealed his upcoming project, “King,” directed by Sujoy Ghosh. Describing the film as an “age-centric actioner,” Shah Rukh shared that it required him to undergo rigorous training. This project is particularly special as it reportedly marks the first on-screen collaboration between Shah Rukh and his daughter, Suhana Khan, adding a personal touch to the anticipation surrounding the film. Shah Rukh’s continued dedication to his craft and his willingness to embrace new challenges and collaborations illustrate his enduring passion for cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan’s presence at the Locarno Film Festival and his receipt of the Pardo Alla Carriera award serve as a reminder of his significant impact on Indian cinema. His reflections on the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, coupled with his own experiences working across different regional industries, highlight the evolving landscape of Indian filmmaking. Shah Rukh’s journey, from his work with Mani Ratnam to his recent collaboration with Atlee, reflects a deepening connection with South Indian cinema and a desire to explore new narratives and cinematic expressions. As he continues to push boundaries and take on new roles, both on and off-screen, Shah Rukh Khan remains a pivotal figure in the ever-expanding world of Indian cinema.
