SRK's 'King' becomes India's most expensive action film, beats 'Pathaan'
What's the story
Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film King has become the most expensive action movie in Indian cinema, with a budget of around ₹350 crore, reported Bollywood Hungama. It has defeated Pathaan, which was reportedly made on a ₹250 crore budget. King, directed by Siddharth Anand, was initially planned as an action-thriller with a cameo from Khan under Sujoy Ghosh's direction and had a budget of only ₹150 crore. However, it was later decided to make the movie on a bigger scale.
Budget increase
Khan gave director Anand free hand
The decision to increase the budget was made when Anand joined the project. A source told Bollywood Hungama, "SRK is a producer who loves to spend and treat the audience with the richest visuals on spectacle." "He gave Sid a free hand, and the director came back with a budget of ₹350 crore." The film will reportedly have six extraordinary action sequences, three of which will be shot at real locations while the other three will be filmed on sets.
Global ambitions
Film aims to achieve Hollywood-level visuals at low cost
The source added that King is a "global film made in India," aiming to achieve what takes millions of dollars in the West at a fraction of the cost. The film's budget does not include expenses for publicity, print, and other ancillary costs. Alongside Khan, the movie will also star Deepika Padukone, Raghav Juyal, Suhana Khan, and Jackie Shroff, among others. Produced by Gauri Khan and Mamta Anand, King is scheduled to release in 2026.