In the lead-up to the Christmas 2026 release of "King," director Siddharth Anand is opening up about the pressures and expectations surrounding the film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan. After delivering hits like "Pathaan," "War," and "Fighter," Anand is no stranger to large-scale action spectacles and the box office numbers that come with them.
"We're working hard as if it’s our first film," Anand stated recently, emphasizing the dedication and effort being poured into the project. Despite his experience with successful films, he maintains a fresh, fearless approach, treating "King" with the same enthusiasm and commitment as his early projects. He conveyed that he doesn't feel pressure and enjoys his work.
"King" marks a reunion for Anand and Shah Rukh Khan, who previously collaborated on the blockbuster "Pathaan" in 2023. The film is produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Yash Raj Films will handle the international distribution. The film is slated to release on December 24, 2026, coinciding with Christmas, in Hindi, and dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, English, and other international languages.
The film has a reported production budget of Rs 350 crore, excluding marketing expenses, making it one of the most expensive in Indian cinema. According to reports, "King" will feature six large-scale action sequences, three of which were filmed at international locations and three on expansive, purpose-built sets. One key action sequence, filmed in Europe with Shah Rukh Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, reportedly cost Rs 50 crore for a 10-day shoot. Shah Rukh Khan also supervised the action planning with Anand.
"King" also stars Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma, Raghav Juyal, and Karanvir Malhotra. The film marks the theatrical debut of Suhana Khan.
While details about the storyline are under wraps, "King" is described as a high-octane action thriller designed for a grand cinematic experience. Teasers have offered glimpses of Shah Rukh in a fierce avatar, with dramatic settings and high-octane action sequences.
Anand, reflecting on his career, noted his transition from romantic comedies to action films and expressed a desire to revisit the romance genre. He insists that he is drawn to narratives of every kind.
With the release date set and anticipation building, all eyes are on "King" to see if it will meet the high expectations and continue the success streak for Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand.