Hyderabad: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to redefine cinematic spectacle with his upcoming film, King. Following the monumental success of Pathaan and Jawan, the actor is pulling out all the stops for what is now officially India’s most expensive action film to date. The project’s scale was unveiled alongside its first teaser, released on Khan’s 59th birthday, which sent waves of excitement through his global fanbase.
The film marks a crucial reunion for the actor-director duo that delivered 2023’s first Rs. 1000-crore blockbuster, Pathaan. With Siddharth Anand back in the director’s chair, expectations are sky-high for King to not just match, but surpass the high-octane action and global appeal of their previous collaboration.
A Budget Fit for a ‘King’
According to industry reports, the production budget for King is a staggering Rs. 350 crore, a figure that excludes the substantial additional costs for marketing, publicity, and prints. This jaw-dropping investment firmly places it ahead of previous Indian action benchmarks, setting a new precedent for the scale of production in the country.
The journey to this record-breaking budget is a story in itself. The project originally began as a more modest action-thriller under director Sujoy Ghosh, with an estimated budget of around Rs. 150 crore. However, when Siddharth Anand came on board, the vision for the film transformed entirely. Backed by Shah Rukh Khan’s own creative ambition and his production company Red Chillies Entertainment, the scale was dramatically amplified to achieve a truly global standard.
Global Ambition: A “Hollywood-Level Spectacle”
Under Anand’s direction, King is engineered as a visual extravaganza. The film is slated to feature six mega-action sequences, designed to be the pillars of its narrative. In a bid for authenticity and grandeur, three of these sequences have been shot on real international locations, while the other three were constructed on massive, elaborate sets built specifically for the film in Mumbai studios.
The makers have described King as a “global film made in India,” a phrase that underscores their ambition to deliver a Hollywood-level action experience while leveraging Indian talent and resources at a fraction of a typical Western blockbuster’s cost.
Star-Studded Cast and Release
King boasts a powerhouse cast led by Shah Rukh Khan. He is joined by his frequent co-star Deepika Padukone, adding to their already formidable on-screen chemistry. The film also marks the big-screen debut of Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan, following her appearance in the Netflix film The Archies. Veteran actor Jackie Shroff rounds out the prominent cast in a pivotal role.
Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Siddharth Anand’s Marflix, King is one of the most anticipated films in the Indian cinematic landscape. It is currently slated for a theatrical release in 2026.
With the successful combination of SRK’s star power, Siddharth Anand’s directorial prowess in the action genre, an unprecedented budget, and a clear global vision, King is not just a film; it is poised to be a landmark event that could redefine the boundaries and scale of Indian commercial cinema.
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