New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King began shooting on 21 May at Mehboob Studios. The actor delivered three hits in 2023 with Jawan, Pathaan, and Dunki, but not one to rest on his laurels, he’s ready to return to the big screen soon.
King also marks his daughter Suhana Khan’s big-screen debut. SRK, Suhana, and Abhishek Bachchan were present on the set on the first day of the shoot.
The film is helmed by Pathaan director Siddharth Anand. Earlier, Sujoy Ghosh was in talks to direct it.
“King will be shot throughout the year in India and in multiple European countries. Mounting and scale of this film will be humongous. And, it is going to be an action spectacle,” film critic Sumit Kadel told ThePrint.
The film also features Jackie Shroff, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma, and Arshad Warsi in key roles.
It is set to release on Gandhi Jayanti next year, Kadel said.
Rumours, speculations
Since the announcement of SRK’s King, rumour mills have been churning across the internet.
Fans have been eagerly speculating about the plot, flooding social media with theories and predictions about the film’s cast.
Social media conversations suggest that Abhishek Bachchan will take on the role of the antagonist, while Suhana Khan is expected to portray SRK’s protégé. Abhay Verma is said to play Suhana’s love interest, with Anil Kapoor reportedly cast as a mysterious assassin.
As per a report, Arshad Warsi has also joined the cast.
According to sources, he’ll be portraying a character that’s “sweet, quirky, funny, and cute”, with nuanced grey undertones.
Deepika Padukone is likely to play Suhana’s mother in the film, adding further star power to the lineup.
However, recently, some reports claimed that Rani Mukerji, who has worked with SRK in films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), will play the role of Suhana’s mother.
With such a stellar lineup and growing buzz, King is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
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Supporting kids
Shah Rukh Khan has been deeply involved in shaping both his children’s careers.
While he is launching his daughter Suhana Khan on the big screen alongside himself in King, he’s equally committed to supporting his son Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, a Netflix series backed by Red Chillies Entertainment.
SRK even made an appearance in the title announcement video for Aryan’s project. In the promotional clip, Aryan, seated in the director’s chair, instructs his father to deliver a dialogue repeatedly—clearly unsatisfied with the delivery.
To this, Shah Rukh humorously responds, “Tere baap ka raj hai kya…”—a playful moment that captures their dynamic.
Tweeting the video, which now has 1.4 million views on X, SRK wrote, “Picture toh saalon se baki hai par show toh ab shuru hoga. Witness Aryan Khan’s take on Bollywood… The Ba***ds of Bollywood, coming soon.”
Set against the backdrop of the film industry, The Ba***ds of Bollywood has been described as a multi-genre project offering an “unabashed, entertaining ride.”
It will showcase the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood through the eyes of an outsider. It is speculated to be a tongue-in-cheek take on Indian cinema.
SRK has also been a strong pillar for Aryan throughout his entrepreneurial journey with the spirit brand, D’yavol X.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)