The speculation has finally ended. In a move that has set the Indian film industry and global fans into a frenzy, Shah Rukh Khan and director Siddharth Anand officially announced the release date for their high-octane action spectacle, King. Through an electrifying teaser released on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the makers confirmed that the film will roar into cinemas worldwide on Thursday, December 24, 2026, perfectly timing the massive Christmas holiday window.
This official announcement from Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures validates the industry insight we shared on January 19, 2026. Our report accurately predicted that the duo was finalizing the Christmas Eve slot and that a formal confirmation would arrive within the week. With the teaser now live, the countdown to one of the most anticipated cinematic events of the decade has officially begun.
The announcement teaser, while brief, offers a glimpse into the gritty, stylish world Siddharth Anand has crafted for the superstar. Eschewing traditional romantic tropes, the teaser focuses on a shadowed, battle-worn Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by a pulse-pounding background score. The tag line, “The King is Ready to Roar,” appears in bold crimson letters, signalling a return to the intense action persona that dominated the box office in recent years.
The collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand—who previously delivered the historic blockbuster Pathaan—promises a level of scale and technical sophistication rarely seen in Indian cinema.
While Shah Rukh Khan headlines the project, King boasts what trade analysts are calling the “Ensemble of the Decade.” The film marks a significant milestone as it features Suhana Khan in a pivotal, high-stakes role alongside her father, marking their first major big-screen collaboration.
The cast list reads like a “who’s who” of Indian cinema:
- The Powerhouses: Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan join the fray in roles that are reportedly shrouded in mystery.
- The Veterans: Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, and Jackie Shroff bring legendary gravitas to the narrative.
- The Method Masters: Jaideep Ahlawat and Arshad Warsi are set to play intense, character-driven parts.
- The New Guard: Abhay Verma and Raghav Juyal round out the cast, adding fresh energy to the ensemble.
Director Siddharth Anand, known for his sleek action choreography in War and Fighter, is reportedly pushing the boundaries of the “spy-action” subgenre with King. Unlike his previous films, King is rumoured to be more “grounded and raw,” focusing on hand-to-hand combat and psychological warfare.
Produced jointly by Gauri Khan (Red Chillies Entertainment) and Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand (Marflix Pictures), the film benefits from the combined expertise of India’s leading VFX house and a production team specialized in global-scale action.
The choice of December 24 is a calculated masterstroke. By releasing on a Thursday, King capitalizes on a four-day extended weekend, leading directly into the global Christmas and New Year holiday period. Historically, the Christmas window has been synonymous with Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest hits, and 2026 looks to be no different.
“The Christmas slot is prime real estate,” says a leading trade expert. “By locking this date nearly a year in advance, the makers have cleared the deck. No other major studio will want to go head-to-head with a cast of this magnitude and the SRK-Siddharth Anand brand.”
With the release date set, the promotional campaign for King is expected to be a year-long marathon. Sources suggest that the first full-length trailer will likely debut during the Diwali 2026 season, keeping the momentum high.
As the teaser ends with the iconic silhouette of the superstar against a stormy backdrop, the message is clear: the throne is being reclaimed. Whether it’s the return of Rani Mukerji opposite SRK or the debut of Suhana in a mainstream actioner, King is more than just a movie—it’s a cultural event.
