On Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday, celebrated on November 2nd, director Siddharth Anand ignited a social media buzz with a birthday wish that appeared to take a subtle jab at Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Anand's message, shared alongside a photo with Shah Rukh Khan, read: "When stars go beyond being 'just a superstar' they are called (king's crown emoji). Happy Birthday INDIA's KING".
This post is widely interpreted as a response to the audio teaser for Prabhas's film Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, which referred to Prabhas as "India's Biggest Superstar". Shah Rukh Khan's fans reportedly trolled the makers of Spirit for the statement. Anand's birthday message for SRK has fueled discussions about a perceived rivalry between Vanga and Anand. Some social media users have even joked about a potential "battle" between the two directors.
The timing of Anand's post coincided with the unveiling of the title reveal video for his upcoming film King, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The action-packed teaser, released by Red Chillies Entertainment, offers a glimpse into the world of King, where SRK portrays a ruthless mercenary. The film is slated for release in 2026.
The King title reveal video showcases Shah Rukh Khan in a never-seen-before avatar. With a short, blonde hairstyle, SRK is seen in intense action sequences, leaving fans excited for this new role. He is shown decimating enemies within what appears to be a casino on a ship. The teaser reveals his character as one who inspires terror across continents, with the dialogue, "Sau deshon mein badnaam, duniya ne diya sirf ek hi naam – KING". The film is touted as a stylish action thriller. A particular shot of SRK in a mustard suede jacket, blue denim shirt, and sunglasses has drawn comparisons to Brad Pitt's look in the film F1.
King marks the second collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand, following their blockbuster hit Pathaan in 2023. Anand has praised Shah Rukh Khan's versatility as an actor, stating that he can do whatever a director asks of him and that any failure of his film would be the director's fault. The film also marks the Bollywood debut of Shah Rukh Khan's daughter, Suhana Khan, and features a stellar ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, and others.
Siddharth Anand had previously engaged in a cryptic social media campaign, posting a series of teasers with words like "Remember," "There is," and "Only One," leading up to the King title announcement. This strategy built anticipation among fans for the film's first look.
King is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Principal photography commenced in Mumbai in May 2025, with action sequences being filmed in sets resembling foreign jails. The film is expected to be a high-octane action thriller with a unique storyline.
