Shah Rukh Khan honoured at Red Sea International Film Festival; Priyanka Chopra, Kajol also attend event

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who recently wrapped up the Saudi Arabia schedule of his forthcoming film ‘Dunki’, attended the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah on Thursday night. He received an honorary award at the event for captivating the audience since his earliest performances.

During his acceptance speech, SRK said that for him ‘film is life’. He said cinema is a unifier because it transits shared human experiences across cultures and celebrates diversity.

On the sidelines of the film festival, SRK, in an exclusive interview with The Deadline, opened up on his upcoming films ‘Dunki’, ‘Pathaan’, and ‘Jawan’ and his decision to take a break from work.

He said he took a break from acting as he wished to spend more time with his children. He said that he was ‘happy’ as his eldest son Aryan was finishing college in California, his daughter Suhana had enrolled at New York University, and he learned Italian cooking with his youngest son AbRam.

Shah Rukh said he was looking forward to spending time with his daughter in America, but was surprised when she didn’t call him over for months.

‘What I realised is when kids go far to study, if they call upon you and you’re in the middle of a shooting schedule, you can’t just leave and go to America. So, only their mother would go… When she (Suhana) transferred from London to New York, I thought I’ll keep six or seven months; she may feel lonely in New York, she may want me to come, and if the wife can’t go, I’ll say I’ll go, I’m free. If you’re making films and you’re in a look, it becomes difficult to just fly down,’ he said.

After waiting, SRK called her one day and asked if he should start working. To this Suhana questioned him why he wasn’t working.

When SRK mentioned that he thought she would call him and feel lonely in New York, Suhana replied that she was having too much fun, and requested him to stay away.

Priyanka Chopra also attended the event in a shimmery beige gown and greeted the paparazzi with a namaste as she posed on the red carpet.

The festival was also attended by Kajol and her film 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' alongside SRK was screened at the event.

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