Shah Rukh Khan’s much-awaited King is not being postponed. Despite speculation in recent days that the Siddharth Anand directorial could move out of its Christmas slot, the latest information by KBP REVIEW indicates that the makers are continuing with the planned December 24, 2026 theatrical release.
The film, which marks Shah Rukh Khan’s return to cinemas after his 2023 blockbuster run, is currently moving towards the final stretch of production.
The December 24 date was officially announced earlier this year, with Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand unveiling the release plan through a special announcement.
The date places King in the most commercially important periods of the year, and current listings continue to show the film scheduled for December 24.
Now, according to information available to KBP REVIEWS, there is no current plan to shift the film to 2027. Instead, the team is understood to be working towards completing the remaining shoot and moving into the final post-production phase.
King has only one short shooting schedule left
The strongest reasons behind the confidence surrounding the December release is the reported progress of the shoot. According to our sources, King has almost completed principal photography, with only one short schedule of approximately five days remaining. That final portion is expected to be completed in September.
This broadly follows earlier reports that the film was approaching the end of its globe-spanning production. The team was preparing for one final international schedule, with locations being explored in the United States and South America.
With only a limited amount of filming reportedly left, the production timeline currently appears considerably more manageable than the postponement rumours suggested. Once the final schedule is completed, the focus will shift firmly towards editing, visual effects, sound, background score and other post-production requirements.
That does not mean the film’s schedule is officially guaranteed against every possible future change, but there is currently no confirmed indication that the December 24 date has been abandoned.
New King ‘Ruthless’ poster reportedly arriving on November 2
The King campaign, a new poster is reportedly lined up for November 2. The artwork has already been locked and is expected to showcase Shah Rukh Khan in a particularly dangerous avatar.
The reported design features SRK holding a gun while positioned in or around a trolley. The trolley is said to carry the striking words “Do Not Open”, with the overall visual being described internally as “Ruthless”.
Importantly, these poster details are based on insider information and have not yet been officially confirmed by Red Chillies Entertainment or Marflix Pictures. The actual artwork could therefore differ when it is officially unveiled.
The title reveal had already introduced Shah Rukh in a rugged, silver-haired avatar, with the character carrying an air of menace rather than the traditional romantic image associated with the superstar.
Why the ‘Ruthless’ look could be important for King
The November poster could potentially mark a significant escalation in the promotional campaign. So far, the makers have been relatively selective with what they have revealed, keeping much of the film’s story and character details under wraps.
Shah Rukh Khan returns with an ensemble cast
King is shaping up as the largest ensemble projects in Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming slate. Alongside SRK, the film features Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Saurabh Shukla, Abhay Verma and Akshay Oberoi, among others.
The film is especially significant for Suhana Khan because it marks her major theatrical outing alongside her father after her earlier screen debut in The Archies.
Saurabh Shukla previously spoke about the extraordinary size of the ensemble, suggesting that a huge portion of the Hindi film industry is represented in the project. Hindustan Times quoted him describing King as a film featuring many of the industry’s prominent names.
The director has also dismissed at least one major rumour surrounding the film. Reports had claimed that King carried a production budget of around Rs 450 crore, potentially making it Shah Rukh Khan’s most expensive film. Anand responded to the claim on social media with “False”, effectively rejecting the report without giving further details.
King vs Avengers: Doomsday:
The December release also sets up an interesting box-office scenario. King is scheduled for December 24, while Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday is officially dated for December 18, 2026.
Disney’s official listing confirms the December 18 release for Avengers: Doomsday, meaning the two films will arrive only six days apart during the lucrative holiday period.
For King, the competition is significant because Avengers: Doomsday brings together major characters and actors from across the Marvel universe. The Hollywood release is expected to command premium screens and substantial international attention.
At the same time, Shah Rukh Khan’s popularity gives King a strong reason to retain its Christmas position. The film is specifically designed as a large-scale theatrical action entertainer, and moving away from the festive window would mean giving up one of the most valuable release periods.
