Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King has reportedly secured pre-release deals worth ₹665 crore, months before its scheduled theatrical release, setting high financial expectations for the action thriller.
Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film has attracted significant interest from distributors and streaming platforms, with several rights deals reportedly finalised ahead of its December release.
According to a report by Pinkvilla, Phars Films acquired the overseas distribution rights for a reported minimum guarantee of ₹175 crore, while Pen Marudhar secured the Indian distribution rights for ₹250 crore.
Netflix reportedly purchased the film’s digital streaming rights for ₹150 crore. The satellite rights were sold for an estimated ₹25 crore, while its music rights generated another ₹65 crore.
Together, the reported deals amount to ₹665 crore in pre-release business. However, the final value of the streaming agreement could vary depending on the film’s performance in cinemas.
How much does King need to earn at the box office?
Despite its reported pre-release earnings, King faces a substantial box-office target because of its production and promotional expenses.
The film was initially reported to have a production budget of around ₹300 crore. However, estimates published by Sacnilk and Pinkvilla suggested that the production cost had increased to nearly ₹400 crore.
Marketing and promotional expenses were estimated at approximately ₹50 crore. Including Shah Rukh Khan’s notional acting fee, the film’s overall cost could reach around ₹550 crore.
According to the reports, King may need to collect approximately ₹800 crore worldwide to meet the financial expectations of its producers and distributors.
That target would put the film in the range of major box-office performers such as Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 and Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, cited in the report as comparisons.
Shah Rukh Khan reunites with Siddharth Anand
King marks Shah Rukh Khan’s reunion with director Siddharth Anand after their 2023 blockbuster Pathaan.
The film’s promotional campaign began on November 2, when the actor marked his birthday by unveiling its first song.
The project also marks Khan’s return to cinemas after Dunki, his most recent theatrical release, which came out in December 2023.
King is scheduled to arrive in theatres on December 24, 2026.
