After weeks of speculation and industry buzz, Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated film King finally has confirmed its official release date. The Siddharth Anand-directed spectacle will arrive in cinemas on 24-12-2026, marking the superstar’s grand return to the big screen after a two-year absence.
After a historic 2023 that saw Shah Rukh deliver two all-time blockbusters and another hit, the actor stayed away from releases in 2024 and 2025, making King one of the most awaited films on the horizon.
Shah Rukh Khan's highly anticipated King is reportedly being made on a lavish budget to ensure a never-before-seen experience for audiences. The Siddharth Anand directorial has a budget of Rs 350 crores, according to an earlier report in Bollywood Hungama. This excludes the sum for marketing and other additional expenses.
What's even more interesting is the mention that the project was initially supposed to feature Shah Rukh Khan in an extended cameo, with Sujoy Ghosh attached to direct first — a fact known to anyone who has been closely following the project’s development. The superstar was reportedly so impressed with Siddharth Anand's vision that he was willing to spend the required bucks to make it possible.
Then came a dramatic shift. A series of unexpected developments saw the film expand in ambition and scale, paving the way for Siddharth Anand to step in as director. With that change, King transformed into a full-blown Shah Rukh Khan vehicle.
The film’s title announcement teaser, unveiled on November 2, 2025, to mark Shah Rukh Khan’s 60th birthday, set the internet abuzz. Slick, stylised and instantly viral, the teaser pushed anticipation into overdrive. Shah Rukh’s salt-and-pepper look, presenting him in a strikingly new avatar, became an instant talking point.
For now, King stands alone on the release calendar, with no Bollywood films currently slated to clash with it. If the date holds, the film will enjoy an uninterrupted run during the prized Christmas–New Year window.
