The much-anticipated film King, starring Shah Rukh Khan and directed by Siddharth Anand, which also features his daughter Suhana Khan, was scheduled to begin filming on May 16. Since the India-Pakistan ceasefire on May 10, producers and studios are reportedly reconsidering timelines for these films and taking a cautious approach given the existing tensions in the subcontinent.
A source close to the development revealed:
“While the ceasefire certainly helps, it is still a tenuous situation. The team on King has worked toward the May 16 start but a minor delay is on the cards because the crew wants to be careful and be as clear as possible.”
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Cautious Approach Across Industry Even Affecting Rollouts for War Sentiments
Last week, the rising cross-border tensions caused delays and even abstention across Bollywood. Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par trailer, Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life audio launch, and any number of streams of films, or promotions, were pulled by industry players as they all came together, implicitly and explicitly aligned with the MODI sentiment and certain of how public mood can shift in a flash.
“There’s still aftershocks of a newish conflict that we have seen in various facets of life. Some retails investors will remain inactive before backing a new slate of a project. It’s not being fearful, it’s about timing and sensitivity,” said a trade insider.
Why King Has Higher Stakes Than A Schedule
More than yet another high-profile film, King also represents the first on-screen pairing of Shah Rukh and Suhana Khan properly, under the high-tempo stylists of Siddharth Anand (the director of Pathaan and War). With this loaded package of legacy, debut, and genre, the film comes with incredibly high expectations both at home and abroad.
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While there has been no official announcement of a delay, trusted sources confirm that a “flexible window” is being looked at.
BoxOfficeWorldwide Verdict:
In a moment of post-conflict caution, King’s small delay reflects Bollywood’s bigger balancing act of respecting national sentiment while rubbing shoulders with blockbuster ambition. It suggests that at least some stars and studios still prefer timing over trend whilst thinking a little longer term.
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