Deepika Padukone joins Shah Rukh Khan's 'King', filming begins May 18

Deepika Padukone joins Shah Rukh Khan's 'King', filming begins May 18

Following his phenomenal success in 2023 with 'Pathaan', 'Jawan', and 'Dunki', Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for his next cinematic venture, 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand. The pre-production phase for this action thriller is progressing rapidly, with a stellar cast already on board, including Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Abhay Verma, Arshad Warsi, and Jaideep Ahlawat.

As the film is set to commence principal photography in Mumbai on May 18th, according to a report in Pinkvilla, Deepika Padukone has been finalized for a significant role in 'King'.

A source close to the production revealed, “Shah Rukh Khan was always clear to have Deepika Padukone on board King. Initially, the dates were not matching as Deepika was taking time off to be with the newborn kid, and also hitting the gym to get back in shape. Due to a delay in schedules of King, the timelines aligned and she is back on board the film.” This confirms the long-standing desire of Shah Rukh Khan to collaborate with Deepika once again, their on-screen chemistry being a major highlight in their previous successful ventures.

The source further elaborated on the initial scheduling conflicts and the alternative actresses considered, stating, “Owing to the scheduling conflicts, SRK had zeroed down on two other names – Kareena Kapoor Khan and Katrina Kaif – to play the aforementioned part. After all the discussions, and setting the shoot timelines, everything has aligned well to have Deepika Padukone on board the film. It’s 10 to 12 days of shoot for Deepika, making it more of an extended cameo. She will be shooting for her role in October.” This suggests that while Deepika's role might not be a full-fledged lead, it will still be a crucial and impactful appearance in the narrative.

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Adding to the anticipation, the source also hinted at the possibility of another legendary actor joining the cast, adding, “Apart from Deepika Padukone, team King has another impactful role in the film, which warrants the presence of a senior superstar like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, but there is no clarity on the status-quo of the same at this point of time.” The potential inclusion of Amitabh Bachchan alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone would undoubtedly elevate the film's star power even further.

'King' is currently eyeing a grand release in the final quarter of 2026, specifically between October 1st and December 31st. The exact release date will be determined after the film commences shooting next month. In terms of the film's music, Sachin Jigar have been roped in as the music composers, while the acclaimed Anirudh will be responsible for the background score. As previously reported, the makers have enlisted the expertise of internationally renowned action directors and are planning to film in various locations across India and Europe, promising a visually stunning and action-packed cinematic experience. Fans can stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated project.