After spending the last few years wearing multiple hats behind the camera, Saurabh Shukla is stepping back into the thick of big-ticket sets. On March 12, 2026, the actor and filmmaker confirmed that he is set to return to the shoot of King, Shah Rukh Khan’s much-awaited action thriller that also features Suhana Khan.
For Shukla, the timing is symbolic. He recently emerged from a self-imposed acting lull while he shepherded his directorial Jab Khuli Kitaab through the final stretch, from the edit table to its release. Now, with that chapter wrapped, he is ready to complete his portions on one of the most high-profile Hindi films currently in production.
Saurabh Shukla Is Returning To Complete His King Schedule
Shukla, who had earlier shot for King last year, said he will be back to film the remaining portions soon. “I shot for it [last year], and I will shoot the remaining portions [soon],” he shared, signalling that his work on the Shah Rukh Khan led project is not a blink-and-miss presence.
In the same conversation, Shukla spoke about why he chose to prioritise direction for a period, even though it meant letting go of the steady financial rhythm of acting assignments. “From an actor’s perspective, [taking a break] is difficult, it’s also stupid at times. But when I was living it, it was easy. Physically, I cannot be present at two places,” he said.
That balance of acting, writing, and directing continues to shape his choices. “I’m a firm believer that there is only one life. So, I have no plans of saying, ‘I will act in this life, and direct in the next,’” Shukla added.
King is directed by Siddharth Anand and is being mounted as a sleek, large-scale action entertainer. Shah Rukh Khan headlines the film alongside Suhana Khan, with Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan also confirmed as part of the cast. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on December 24, 2026.
Saurabh Shukla’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Shukla was seen in Suresh Triveni’s Subedaar, which premiered on Prime Video on March 5, 2026, and stars Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan alongside him. Just a day later, his directorial Jab Khuli Kitaab began streaming on ZEE5 on March 6, 2026, with Pankaj Kapur, Dimple Kapadia, and Aparshakti Khurana in key roles.
Before that, he featured in the thriller series Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein (Netflix, 2022) and the comedy series Pop Kaun? (Disney+ Hotstar, 2023). With King set for a December 2026 theatrical release, Shukla’s return to the set places him right back in the middle of marquee, mass-facing cinema while he continues to build as a filmmaker.
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