Khan said his speech was”‘checked three to four times to make sure he doesn’t say something stupid and wrong and get picked on for it” was self-effacing and endearingly smug, laced with his signature humour and wit, and perhaps most notably, rebelled in its impish tone against most acceptance speeches these days, which are delivered almost by rote.
Here’s a compilation of some quotes from his speech that stayed with us and made us celebrate everything he does.
On not winning an award for a ‘bloody long time’
“It has been a bloody long time since I last won an award now. I started believing that I was doomed or destined to win one of these Lifetime Achievement Awards at these loud and colourful TV award shows, which unfortunately I have also hosted lots of. I really want to keep this award to myself and not share it with anyone at all.”
On How Goodness Begets Goodness“I am a guy who is hopeful. I tell happy stories — the heroes I play do good things, and give hope and happiness. If I play a bad guy, I make sure he suffers a lot and dies a dog’s death. This is because I believe goodness begets goodness and badness deserves a kick in the backside.”
On a troublesome half-a-decade
“The last four-five years have been a bit of a ride for me and my family. I am sure for some of you also because of COVID and stuff. Most of my films flopped. A lot of specialists and analysts started writing my death knell. On a personal level, a little bit of bothersome and unpleasant things happened to say the least, which made me learn a lesson — be quiet. Be very quiet and work hard, with dignity…This is when you need to be a hopeful, happy and honest storyteller and continue doing what you’re doing”
On being the ‘humble’ megastar that he is
‘I would like to congratulate all the other winners. I know your achievements are far greater than mine. Mind you, I am only saying this to bring some humility in my speech and I don’t really mean it (laughs).”
On why he is keeping this award for himself
“I am keeping this award for myself. Some years back, when I used to get a lot of awards, I had decided that every award that I get I’ll take it as a gift for one of my kids and it’ll bring cheer to their life. I truly believe that the last four-five years that my family has seen, my children have seen, my wife has seen, I think nobody deserves a bigger cheer right now than them. So I am taking this award back home for them.”
He is the Indian for all ages
“I don’t just feel like I’m the Indian of the year. I feel I have been the Indian of all the years gone by, I will be the Indian for all the years to come. I am actually, ladies and gentlemen, the Indian for all ages.”
For his legion of fans for their support
“I would like to thank hoards of you who came to watch my films, some of you may not have even liked them, but I know deep, down inside, you came to support me and my family. I bow down to you and thank you for bringing cheer to my family, my children, and my loved ones and for making me the star that I am (yet again!)”
Full Speech
(Edited by : Vijay Anand)
