Akshay Oberoi on working with Shah Rukh Khan in 'King': 'Truly surreal'
Synopsis
Akshay Oberoi is having a moment — working with Shah Rukh Khan on the magnum opus 'King' and gearing up for a gritty thriller with Manoj Bajpayee, all in the same year. He calls the experience surreal, and with Siddharth Anand directing and a cast that includes Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan, 'King' is shaping up as one of Bollywood's most-watched releases.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Oberoi describes working with Shah Rukh Khan in 'King' as 'truly surreal' and a career milestone.
Oberoi is simultaneously working on an untitled thriller with Manoj Bajpayee , set in a gritty, crime-driven universe. 'King' is directed by Siddharth Anand and produced under Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures .
The film's ensemble cast includes Suhana Khan , Abhishek Bachchan , Deepika Padukone , Anil Kapoor , Jackie Shroff , Arshad Warsi , and Rani Mukerji . 'King' will also mark Oberoi's debut in South Indian cinema .
Actor Akshay Oberoi has described his experience of sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming film 'King' as one of the most surreal milestones of his career. The actor, who is simultaneously preparing for a gritty thriller alongside Manoj Bajpayee, says 2024 marks an unprecedented chapter in his professional journey.
What Akshay Oberoi Said
Opening up about the rare convergence of projects, Oberoi said, 'I genuinely feel like it's crazy to think that I am working with Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj, the same year. They both are so diversely different in their craft and they are the true masters of it, of what they do. What excites me the most is the sheer diversity of the worlds I'm entering.'
He elaborated further, noting the tonal contrast between the two films: 'First there's King, which is one larger than life story, a magnum opus action. Then there's the thriller film with Manoj Bajpayee sir, which is set in a gritty, crime-driven universe. Sharing screen space with someone of his calibre is both intimidating and inspiring.'
On 'King' and His South Cinema Debut
Oberoi reserved particular enthusiasm for 'King', calling it one of the most anticipated projects in the country. 'Being a part of King, one of the most anticipated projects in the country right now, feels incredibly surreal,' he said. He also confirmed that 'King' will mark his debut in South Indian cinema — a moment he described as personally significant. 'South cinema is telling some of the most exciting stories in India today. I feel fortunate that filmmakers are trusting me with such varied characters, and I'm approaching every single project with gratitude, hunger and the desire to constantly evolve,' he added.
About the Film 'King'
'King' is co-written and directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. The film boasts a high-profile ensemble cast featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, and Rani Mukerji.
Where Akshay Oberoi Stands Now
Oberoi was most recently seen in the psychological thriller 'Resident' and the romantic comedy 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari'. With 'King' and the Manoj Bajpayee-led thriller both in the pipeline, the actor appears to be at a career inflection point — moving from supporting roles to high-profile, multi-genre projects. Whether this busy slate translates into a sustained breakthrough will become clearer once both films hit screens.
Point of View
But the more interesting story here is structural: 'King' is a test of whether Siddharth Anand can replicate the 'Pathaan' formula — star power plus spectacle — in an era where audience patience for magnum opus action is being stress-tested by OTT habits. Oberoi's dual casting alongside both Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee in the same year signals that casting directors are beginning to trust him with range, not just roles. His South debut adds another variable. The convergence of all three is either very good planning or very good luck — and in Bollywood, the difference rarely shows until release day.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'King' about?
'King' is a large-scale action film described by its cast as a magnum opus. It is co-written and directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
Who is in the cast of 'King'?
The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji, and Akshay Oberoi, among others.
What did Akshay Oberoi say about working with Shah Rukh Khan?
Oberoi called the experience 'truly surreal' and described 'King' as one of the most anticipated projects in the country. He said being trusted with such a role fills him with 'gratitude, hunger and the desire to constantly evolve.'
What other project does Akshay Oberoi have lined up?
Alongside 'King', Oberoi is working on an untitled thriller with Manoj Bajpayee, set in a gritty, crime-driven universe. He described sharing screen space with Bajpayee as 'both intimidating and inspiring.'
Will 'King' mark Akshay Oberoi's South cinema debut?
Yes, according to Oberoi, 'King' will mark his debut in South Indian cinema, which he described as a 'huge moment' personally, citing the quality of storytelling emerging from the South Indian film industry.
