King, a collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand, has been at the surface for many months while the conversation is currently centred on its casting with Deepika Padukone securing the role. The actress has one of the most formidable pairings with SRK and is officially signed on — but that was not without some fun and perhaps some timeline changes that shifted the very tone of the film.
Deepika Was Initially Slated for a Cameo — Until It Evolved Into a Leading Role
Deepika was initially lined up to make a cameo appearance in King, but, as it was being put together, she expanded her involvement into a lead role. Insiders are saying the role has the potential to be every bit as meaningful as her cameo in Pathaan and lead role in Jawan.
From “No” to “Let’s Do It” – How Deepika Came Around
According to a report, the role was originally written for Deepika, and she is SRK’s first choice. Deepika did not accept, as she wanted to spend time with her first newborn. Siddharth Anand rejoined the project after juggling options like Katrina Kaif, Sonam Bajwa, and Preity Zinta, only to find the schedule clashing for most.
Then, Shah Rukh made a follow-up call to Deepika, but this time around it included diction around changing the filming dates. That call worked.
By October–November, Deepika was in — on her terms.
Cameo? Not Anymore.
The real twist in this story is that Deepika’s original part was small. However, after her cameo performance in Jawan, she reportedly had the urge to do something more decisive with SRK — the team rewrote the script.
Her role in King is now described as “lengthy and central to the plot”. It’s yet another big move for the SRK-Deepika collaboration, and this marks their sixth film together — following Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Pathaan, and Jawan.
What We Know About King
Directed by Siddharth Anand and co-produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, King is labelled as an action thriller. Shah Rukh Khan plays a complex, gritty assassin; the film marks the feature film debut of Suhana Khan, with Abhishek Bachchan playing the main villain and Abhay Verma in a major supporting role.
King is positioned in the post-Pathaan world of action as character-driven, high-octane action. With Deepika now added into the cocktail mix, it is assumed the narrative will balance the physical action with believable emotional stakes.
When Does Shooting Start?
The film goes on floors in mid-2025, with a huge action schedule allegedly planned across India and select international locations. King has a late 2026 theatrical release lined up, and excitement around this project is building momentum with every casting announcement.
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