Shah Rukh Khan announces ‘King’: He will return with Siddharth Anand on Christmas 2026.

Entertainment: One of India’s biggest superstars, Shah Rukh Khan, is set to return to the big screen with ‘King’, an ambitious action film directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously delivered the blockbuster ‘Pathaan’. This film is one of the most anticipated Hindi films and is expected to cross the crucial ₹1000 crore global box office mark. The makers have officially announced December 24th as the film’s theatrical release date, aiming to capitalize on the Christmas holiday season. While this period is expected to draw large crowds, it will also present some significant challenges – particularly from Hollywood. Two major global films, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’, are scheduled for worldwide release on December 18th. Given the massive scale and fan following of both franchises, they are expected to dominate IMAX and premium large-format screens in international markets, especially North America and Europe. This could be a potential disadvantage for ‘King’, which might struggle to secure sufficient premium screens overseas – a crucial factor for Bollywood films aspiring to achieve record-breaking global numbers. Even in India, both ‘Avengers’ and ‘Dune’ have a considerable fan base, and their presence could impact screen allocation and box office momentum for Shah Rukh Khan’s film. While some might consider this clash a bold and confident move by the makers of ‘King’, the risks are substantial. If the Hollywood films maintain their hold on premium formats during the Christmas week, ‘King’ could face stiff competition at a time when maximizing reach is essential. The ultimate outcome will depend on audience reception, word-of-mouth, and how the film navigates one of the most competitive holiday release windows in recent years. TAGS