Shah Rukh Khan has given fans another glimpse of his much-awaited film King, and his latest look is already attracting considerable attention. The superstar unveiled a new poster of the upcoming action thriller on October 27, 2026, showcasing a striking combination of action, attitude and romance. With a gun in his hand, a rose between his lips and an intense expression, the actor appears in a dramatically different avatar that has added to the excitement surrounding the film.
The poster carries the intriguing line, “Aaj phir yaad aaya… Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon.” It is accompanied by the film’s title and the release date, December 24, 2026. The tagline, which translates to “I remembered again today… I am not a killer, I am a lover,” has caught the attention of fans, particularly because it brings back memories of one of Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic films.
In the new artwork, Shah Rukh appears with grey hair, dressed in a dark outfit and walking forward against a fiery background. He holds a gun while a rose stem rests between his lips. The contrast between the weapon and the flower creates an interesting visual: a character who appears dangerous but also carries a romantic side. The poster does not reveal the complete story or the circumstances behind his character, but it offers another indication of the intense, grey-shaded role he is playing in the film.
A nostalgic connection with Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Baadshah’
One of the most interesting aspects of the new King poster is its tagline. The words “Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon” appear to be a reference to the popular title song of Shah Rukh Khan’s 1999 film Baadshah. The song featured the memorable line “Aashiq hoon main, kaatil bhi hoon.” By presenting a different version of that line, the makers have created a connection between the actor’s earlier screen image and his upcoming character.
For audiences familiar with Shah Rukh’s filmography, the reference carries an element of nostalgia. The actor has played several memorable characters who blur the traditional boundaries between hero and villain. Films such as Darr, Baazigar, Anjaam and Don showcased different shades of his performances, often placing him in morally complicated roles.
Shah Rukh has also spoken about the nature of his character in King. During a fan interaction, he described the role as dark, ruthless and grey. He explained that the character has an evil side and is capable of killing people. His comments suggest that the film will move beyond a conventional heroic portrayal and explore a more complicated personality. However, the complete character arc and the details of the story have not been officially disclosed.
Siddharth Anand reunites with Shah Rukh Khan
King is directed by Siddharth Anand, who previously worked with Shah Rukh Khan on the blockbuster action film Pathaan. Their reunion has become one of the major talking points surrounding the project. Pathaan established a successful association between the actor and director, and the upcoming film brings them together again for another large-scale action entertainer.
The film is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Shah Rukh Khan headlines the project, which also features an ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Jaideep Ahlawat and Abhay Verma, among others.
The film is particularly significant for Suhana Khan, as it brings her on-screen alongside her father, Shah Rukh Khan. Suhana made her acting debut with the 2023 film The Archies. Her appearance in King has therefore become another point of interest for audiences, who are eager to see the father-daughter combination in a major theatrical production.
Although the makers have revealed several glimpses of the film, the individual roles and relationships between the characters remain largely under wraps. This has left room for speculation about the story, but viewers will have to wait for further promotional material to understand how the different characters fit into the narrative.
Poster also sparks comparisons on social media
While many fans welcomed Shah Rukh Khan’s intense appearance, the new poster also generated a separate conversation on social media. Some users compared its fiery background, weapon and overall visual composition with promotional artwork for Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge. A few users raised allegations of visual similarities and questioned the design choices.
These comparisons remain social-media reactions and should not be treated as proof of plagiarism. No verified finding has established that the King poster was copied from another film. The discussion nevertheless shows how closely audiences are examining every promotional release connected with Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming project.
When will Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’ release?
The makers have confirmed December 24, 2026 as the theatrical release date for King. Shah Rukh Khan’s new poster also carries the same date, reinforcing the film’s planned Christmas-season arrival. The official film page lists Siddharth Anand as the director and December 24, 2026, as the release date.
The release date places the film in a competitive holiday period. It is also expected to attract attention beyond its star cast because of its large-scale action positioning and the reunion of Shah Rukh Khan with Siddharth Anand. However, the film’s actual box-office performance will depend on audience response, reviews, screen availability and competition at the time of release.
With its intense new poster, nostalgic reference to Baadshah and the promise of a complex character, King has given audiences another reason to look forward to Shah Rukh Khan’s next big-screen appearance. The poster offers a glimpse of the film’s action-romance identity, but the biggest questions surrounding the story, character relationships and full-scale action sequences remain unanswered. As the December 24 release approaches, the makers are expected to reveal more details through their upcoming promotional campaign.
