Ricky Kej, the music maestro known for his Grammy wins and Padma Shri honor, made an appearance at the ‘Celebrating India Film Festival 2025’ in Delhi. On the festival’s third day, he chatted with ANI. Their talk touched on various topics, including Shah Rukh Khan’s recent National Award win for ‘Jawan.’ Kej also spoke about his new music album, ‘Gandhi Mantra of Compassion.’
Comparing SRK to DiCaprio
The news of Shah Rukh Khan’s National Award for ‘Jawan’ definitely got people talking. Opinions were split: some felt it wasn’t quite right, while others celebrated his win. Ricky Kej weighed in with a fascinating comparison. He brought up Leonardo DiCaprio’s first Oscar win for ‘The Revenant.’ Many viewers, Kej noted, didn’t think that particular film was Leo’s best acting. Yet, it felt like a long-overdue tribute to his entire body of work. Kej believes the same holds true for ‘King Khan.’ He feels SRK has delivered many brilliant performances throughout his career. In Kej’s view, Shah Rukh was more than deserving of such an honor even before ‘Jawan’ hit screens.
Kej’s Happiness for Shah Rukh
Kej explained this idea further, recalling the excitement when DiCaprio finally clinched his Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Revenant.’ Despite some critics feeling it wasn’t his peak performance, the overall sentiment was one of joy. People felt it was simply ‘Leonardo DiCaprio’s year,’ a rightful recognition for a superb actor. Kej sees this exact same pattern with Shah Rukh Khan. He firmly believes SRK has a long history of stellar performances. “I am very happy for him,” Kej shared, clearly supporting the superstar’s big moment.
‘Gandhi Mantra of Compassion’ Speaks of Peace
Beyond the glitz of cinema, Kej also shed light on his latest musical endeavor, ‘Gandhi Mantra of Compassion.’ This special album is a collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi. Kej affectionately calls Satyarthi ‘like an elder brother.’ He shared that a music video from the album is actually being featured at the ‘Celebrating India Film Festival’ right now.
The album itself carries a powerful message. It focuses on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, particularly his ideals of non-violence and peace. Kej emphasized that these principles are more crucial now than ever before. “We live in a world filled with division, hate, online negativity, and general unrest,” he observed. He firmly believes that Gandhi’s timeless wisdom can truly benefit the world. And, as he pointed out, these profound ideals have their roots in India.