In what is being hailed as the biggest box office announcement of the year, superstar Shah Rukh Khan and director Siddharth Anand have officially finalized the release window for their high-octane action thriller, King. Reports confirm that the duo has locked Christmas 2026 for the film’s grand theatrical arrival, marking Khan’s return to his favourite holiday slot.
While the industry has been buzzing with rumours for weeks, an official announcement from Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures is reportedly expected in the coming week. The move positions King as the undisputed cinematic event of the 2026 winter season, promising a global scale that aims to redefine Indian action cinema.
The decision to claim the Christmas window was a highly calculated move by the makers. Originally, the team considered the iconic December 4 window—a slot that Shah Rukh Khan has historically favoured. However, they chose to skip this date to maintain a respectful distance from Nitesh Tiwari’s divine magnum opus, Ramayana.
Sources close to the production reveal that the “SRK-Sid” duo wanted to ensure a 45-day breathing space between the two tentpole films. By moving to December 25, the makers allow Ramayana to enjoy an uninterrupted run while providing King with an open field for its own historic opening.
“They don’t want to come and hurt the business of this divine saga in any way,” a source revealed. “This ensures that both films have the theatrical oxygen they deserve to maximize their box office potential.”
King isn’t just an action movie; it is a casting masterclass. The film features an ensemble that reads like a dream list for any distributor:
- The Protégé Dynamic: The film marks the much-awaited theatrical debut of Suhana Khan. She will share the screen with her father, Shah Rukh Khan, in a storyline inspired by the classic mentor-assassin dynamic (reminiscent of Léon: The Professional).
- The Return of a Power Duo: Deepika Padukone joins the cast in a lead role, reuniting with SRK after the record-breaking success of Pathaan and Jawan.
- The Antagonist: In a shocking turn, Abhishek Bachchan has been cast as the primary antagonist, promising a face-off with SRK that fans have waited decades to see.
The supporting cast is equally legendary, featuring Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, and Abhay Verma. With additional appearances by Jackie Shroff and Raghav Juyal, the film boasts perhaps the largest modern ensemble in Bollywood history.
Under the direction of Siddharth Anand, King has transitioned from a mid-budget thriller into a mega-action spectacle. With a reported budget of ₹350 crore, the film features six massive action set pieces filmed across international locations, including Poland and Mumbai.
The narrative reportedly follows a “Don” (SRK) who takes a young woman (Suhana) under his wing, teaching her the ways of a world defined by “Darr nahi, Dehshat” (Not fear, but terror).
By locking the Christmas window, King will enjoy a largely uncontested run in the domestic market. While Hollywood’s Avengers: Doomsday is slated to arrive a week earlier, trade analysts believe the local demand for an SRK-starrer will easily dominate the Indian sub-continent.
With Anirudh Ravichander (the man behind the viral beats of Jawan) handling the music, the audio-visual experience is set to be a sensory overload. The film is being designed for IMAX and premium formats, ensuring that the “King Khan” experience is as immersive as possible.
As director Siddharth Anand continues to drop cryptic hints on social media with posts like “And… the date,” fans are on high alert. The upcoming week is expected to bring the first official title teaser or a motion poster that will formally confirm the Christmas 2026 date.
For fans of Shah Rukh Khan, the wait until late 2026 may seem long, but the combination of a father-daughter pairing and a “Siddharth Anand actioner” suggests that the payoff will be worth every second.
