A tug-of-war over numbers has turned Shah Rukh Khan’s King into Bollywood’s hottest talking point. Reports claim the actioner carries a Rs 450 crore budget, excluding print and publicity and SRK’s acting fees, which would make it his costliest film yet. Director Siddharth Anand, though, has pushed back, calling the figure ‘False’.
The Rs 450 crore claim ignites debate
If accurate, the reported Rs 450 crore outlay would eclipse Jawan at around Rs 400 crore and Pathaan at approximately Rs 350 crore. That alone explains the frenzy: a bigger canvas than two of SRK’s recent juggernauts promises another high-wattage theatrical moment.
What fed the chatter further were earlier whispers of a Rs 50 crore action sequence and extensive VFX by Red Chillies Entertainment. Together, they signal a film designed to travel beyond borders with large-scale set pieces and glossy action grammar.
Siddharth Anand says ‘False’
The director publicly dismissed the Rs 450 crore figure with a one-word tweet: ‘False’. With that, the crown of SRK’s priciest film remains with Jawan for now, at around Rs 400 crore, with Pathaan holding at approximately Rs 350 crore.
Even so, the headline-grabbing claim has already served a purpose. It frames King as a big-swing event and fuels fan speculation while cameras roll. Here is why that matters to moviegoers and the trade alike:
– Raises expectations for action and VFX scale
– Pits King against Jawan and Pathaan benchmarks
– Keeps marketing conversation hot before assets drop
– Leaves room for a surprise final figure
Production scale hints at big-screen heft
Beyond the rupee-counting, the on-ground scope looks formidable. The film went on floors in May 2025 and is expected to wrap its shoot by August 2026. Across nearly one year and three months, the team has reportedly clocked more than 150 days across multiple international locations with top-tier stunt units.
A source familiar with the project said SRK and Siddharth Anand have scaled up the film’s DNA from an action thriller to a tentpole. The insider added the spending is aimed at an uncompromised theatrical experience, promising, ‘You will see every penny spent by the makers on the screen, as it’s a new Shah Rukh Khan experience.’
What audiences can expect from King
King is being pitched as a slick, global action ride with high-end VFX delivered by Red Chillies Entertainment. The project is among the most-awaited of 2026 and marks SRK’s return to theatres after three years, primed to test how far Hindi action can stretch on the world stage.
There is star power in the wings too. The film will mark Suhana Khan’s big-screen debut, and it is reportedly a Hindi adaptation of a 1994 French action drama. The combination adds novelty to the spectacle pitch.
What comes next
Shooting continues toward the August 2026 wrap window, after an extensive international schedule. Expect the budget back-and-forth to persist until the makers officially call it. For now, King stands as a lightning rod for anticipation, with the next inflection point likely arriving when the first footage drops.
