- Shah Rukh Khan wins IIFA Best Actor award for Jawan
- Khan's comeback year includes hits Jawan and Pathaan
- Khan: "I love awards... it's good to be back" after 4-year hiatus
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a triumphant return to the film industry in 2023, capping off his comeback year with the Best Actor award at the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
“I think I have a little happiness from the audience this year because I worked (again) after a long time,” Khan said during the star-studded ceremony, referring to his four-year hiatus from movies.
Khan, a household name in India and one of the country’s most beloved stars, won the award for his role in the action thriller Jawan. He also co-hosted the event alongside Karan Johar, who received a special award for 25 years in cinema.
Fireworks greeted Khan’s arrival on stage, and the event was filled with tributes to the iconic actor. “I love awards, I’m greedy about awards,” Khan announced. “I just want to tell you it’s good to be back.”
Khan’s return to the big screen was Bollywood’s biggest success story last year, starring in both Jawan and the spy film Pathaan. The roles marked a departure from his typical romantic hero typecast, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
The 58-year-old’s comeback follows a series of personal and professional setbacks, including his son Aryan Khan’s arrest on fake drug possession charges and a string of underperforming films.
Despite these challenges, Khan’s popularity remains unwavering. Known for his charm and humor, he is often referred to as Bollywood’s “most important cultural export” and “King Khan” or “King of Bollywood” by his millions of fans.
Other notable winners at the ceremony included Rani Mukerji for Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and Vidhu Vinod Chopra for Best Director for 12th Fail. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal took home six awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Anil Kapoor.
The International Indian Film Academy Awards, held in Abu Dhabi for the third time, marked a significant event for Bollywood, India’s dominant film industry. Despite facing ups and downs since the coronavirus pandemic, the industry continues to produce hundreds of films annually, with a vast global following.
This year’s ceremony, co-hosted by Khan and Johar, ran over three days, celebrating the best of Indian cinema.
