Shah Rukh Khan drops 'King' poster: 'Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon', film out 24 Dec
Synopsis
Shah Rukh Khan just dropped the most loaded poster of the year — rose in his lips, gun in hand, and a line that collapses the distance between lover and killer. 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand and releasing on 24 December 2026, is not just SRK's big comeback; it's the first time he'll share a screen with daughter Suhana Khan, making it a genuinely historic Bollywood moment.
Key Takeaways
Shah Rukh Khan unveiled a new poster for 'King' on 27 October 2026 with the line 'Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon' .
The film is set for theatrical release on 24 December 2026 — the Christmas window. 'King' is directed by Siddharth Anand and reportedly adapted from the 1994 French film 'Léon: The Professional' .
This marks the first on-screen pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan .
Abhishek Bachchan plays the primary antagonist; the cast also includes Deepika Padukone , Anil Kapoor , Rani Mukerji , and Jaideep Ahlawat .
SRK's last theatrical release was Dunki in 2023 , the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of that year.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, unveiled a striking new poster for his eagerly awaited action-thriller 'King', teasing fans with the punchline 'Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon' and confirming a theatrical release on 24 December 2026. The reveal has sent social media into a frenzy, underscoring the film's status as one of the most anticipated Hindi releases in years.
The Poster and What It Shows
The new poster presents Shah Rukh Khan in a riveting dual image — a rose clenched between his lips, a gun gripped in his hand, and an expression that blurs the line between menace and romance. Alongside the visual, Khan shared a caption on Instagram that read: 'Aaj phir yaad aaya... Qaatil nahi Aashiq hoon #KING In cinemas 24.12.26.' The date stamp embedded in the poster locks in the Christmas 2026 release window, setting up a high-stakes holiday box office showdown.
What 'King' Is About
'King' is directed by Siddharth Anand, the filmmaker behind blockbusters such as War and Pathaan. The film is reportedly an adaptation of the celebrated 1994 French crime classic 'Léon: The Professional'. It marks a significant personal milestone for Shah Rukh Khan — this will be the first time he shares screen space with his daughter Suhana Khan, who made her acting debut in Zoya Akhtar's 'The Archies' in 2023. Abhishek Bachchan is set to play the primary antagonist, described as a dark and violent villain.
Stellar Ensemble Cast
Beyond the father-daughter pairing, 'King' boasts a formidable ensemble. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Jackie Shroff, Raghav Juyal, and Abhay Verma. The project is being produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Further plot details and character specifics remain under wraps.
Context: SRK's Long Wait and Suhana's Journey
Shah Rukh Khan was last seen on screen in Dunki, the 2023 comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani, which centred on the illegal immigration technique known as 'donkey flight.' That film — which also featured Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani, and Vicky Kaushal in a special appearance — emerged as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film and the eighth highest-grossing Indian film of 2023. Suhana Khan, meanwhile, drew considerable attention with her debut in 'The Archies', a digitally released coming-of-age musical. 'King' will be her first major theatrical outing alongside her father, making the project a generational event of sorts for Bollywood.
What to Watch For
With Siddharth Anand's track record, a Christmas release slot, and one of Hindi cinema's most beloved stars returning after a three-year gap, 'King' is positioned as a marquee event film. The creative choice to echo 'Léon: The Professional' — a story of a seasoned operative and a young protégé — maps intriguingly onto the real-life dynamic of Shah Rukh and Suhana. Full details of the plot, music, and trailer are expected to follow in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Action-thriller edge, borrowing from the iconography of 'Léon: The Professional' to signal a film that wants both multiplex and mass-market audiences. The real story, though, is the father-daughter dynamic: pairing SRK with Suhana in what is reportedly a mentor-protégé narrative carries a meta-resonance no marketing team could manufacture. Whether Suhana Khan can hold her own against this cast — and this weight of expectation — is the question that will drive every conversation until the trailer drops. Siddharth Anand has delivered blockbusters before, but 'King' carries the added pressure of being a legacy moment, not just a commercial bet.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shah Rukh Khan's 'King' releasing?
'King' is confirmed for a theatrical release on 24 December 2026, as shown in the newly unveiled poster. The Christmas window positions it as a major holiday box office event.
Who is directing 'King' and what is it based on?
'King' is directed by Siddharth Anand, known for 'Pathaan' and 'War'. The film is reportedly an adaptation of the 1994 French crime classic 'Léon: The Professional', though full plot details remain under wraps.
Is this the first film of Shah Rukh Khan with daughter Suhana Khan?
Yes, 'King' will be the first time Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan share screen space. Suhana made her acting debut in Zoya Akhtar's 'The Archies' in 2023, which was released digitally.
Who else is in the cast of 'King'?
The film stars Abhishek Bachchan as the primary antagonist, alongside Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Jackie Shroff, Raghav Juyal, and Abhay Verma. It is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
What was Shah Rukh Khan's last film before 'King'?
Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in 'Dunki' in 2023, a comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film became the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023 and the eighth highest-grossing Indian film of that year.
