‘King’ Becomes Shah Rukh Khan’s Most Expensive Film With INR 450 Crore Budget? Director Siddharth Anand Reacts With Cryptic Post
Director Siddharth Anand has dismissed reports claiming Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming action thriller 'King' has a INR 450 crore budget. The film, also starring Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, is set for a grand theatrical release on December 24, 2026.
Bollywood is buzzing with anticipation for Shah Rukh Khan's next big-screen spectacle, King, an action thriller directed by Siddharth Anand. The film has been making headlines, not just for its star-studded cast and high-octane sequences, but also for its rumoured colossal budget. However, director Siddharth Anand has now stepped in to address the escalating speculation. Shah Rukh Khan's Female Fan Says 'I Love You More Than My Husband' at Mangaluru Event; King Khan Responds (Watch Viral Video).
‘King’ Budget Crosses INR 450 Crore?
Recent reports across various media outlets on July 8, 2026, indicated that King had reportedly become Shah Rukh Khan's most expensive film to date, with its budget allegedly ballooning to a staggering INR 450 crore. This figure, as per the reports, was said to cover production costs exclusively, excluding Shah Rukh Khan's acting fees, as well as print and publicity expenses. For context, this would surpass the reported budgets of his previous blockbusters, 'Jawan' (approximately INR 400 crore) and 'Pathaan' (around INR 350 crore).
The substantial investment was reportedly aimed at delivering an "uncompromised cinematic experience" with elaborate action sequences and state-of-the-art visual effects, handled by Shah Rukh Khan's own Red Chillies Entertainment.
Siddharth Anand's Cryptic Post on X
Amidst the widespread reports about the film's exorbitant budget, director Siddharth Anand took to social media platform X on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to clarify the situation. Anand unequivocally dismissed the claims, tweeting simply "False."
Siddharth Anand's Cryptic Post Linked to ‘King’ Budget Rumours
False
— Siddharth Anand (@justSidAnand) July 8, 2026
His concise response directly refuted the circulating budget figures, indicating that the film is proceeding according to its original financial plan without any unexpected increases or delays. This statement from the director aims to temper the financial speculation surrounding one of 2026's most anticipated releases.
More About ‘King’
King is an action thriller co-written by Sujoy Ghosh, Siddharth Anand, Suresh Nair, and Sagar Pandya, and directed by Siddharth Anand, known for his work on blockbusters like Pathaan and War. The film is produced by Gauri Khan, Siddharth Anand, and Mamta Anand under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in a gritty role as a sleek, highly skilled assassin, marking his return to an intense action avatar. Making her theatrical debut, Suhana Khan stars as his protégé. Abhishek Bachchan stars as the primary antagonist. The cast also includes Deepika Padukone (in a cameo appearance), Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal, Abhay Verma, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, Akshay Oberoi, and Karanvir Malhotra.
Principal photography for King commenced in May 2025 and is expected to conclude by August 2026, with extensive shooting taking place across various international locations including Mumbai, Warsaw, Gdansk, and Cape Town. The musical landscape of the film will feature songs composed by Sachin–Jigar, while the background score is helmed by Anirudh Ravichander. Shah Rukh Khan Adds Majestic Cadillac Escalade to His Bevy of Cars; Here's the Price of Luxury SUV.
King is slated for a grand theatrical release on December 24, 2026, promising a thrilling Christmas Eve experience for audiences worldwide.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 06:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
