With five months to go for its release, is Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’ done with its globe-trotting shoots? Well, almost. Sources have told mid-day that discussions are underway for the action thriller’s last overseas shoot that will be held in August. The destination? Either the US or South America.

From what we’ve heard, a team is currently conducting a recce to finalise the locations for the last leg of director Siddharth Anand’s action extravaganza.

A source shared, “Only an international schedule is remaining. Nothing has been officially locked yet, but a team is currently in the US, scouting locations and working out the logistics. They will head to certain countries in South America before zeroing in on the locations. If all goes according to the plan, the unit will head there next month before calling it a wrap.”

The bulk of the film — which marks Suhana Khan’s first big-screen offering — is already complete. The proposed shoot is for a key sequence. The source added, “Shah Rukh and Siddharth wanted an untapped location for the sequence in question.”

What do established filmmakers and production houses fear the most? Financial losses? Bad publicity? Ballooning budgets? Not quite. A footage leak, perhaps. But what the makers of Shah Rukh Khan’s King certainly didn’t see coming was an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated mini version of their film going viral online, stitched together from leaked visuals, paparazzi clips, and stills, just days after footage from the climax shoot surfaced on the internet. Now that’s the kind of nightmare no one in the industry was prepared for.

The 15-minute fan-made video used AI tools to recreate transitions and claimed to offer audiences a “mini version” of director Siddharth Anand’s film before its release. According to insiders, both fans and the production team rapidly mass-reported the footage, leading to its removal from several platforms.

A source close to the production told mid-day, “The team was already upset after stills from the climax leaked. Before that, sequences from the Cape Town schedule went viral where Deepika and SRK shot a song. The line production team was extremely careful but when someone like SRK shoots in public, it’s impossible to trace the source of the leak. But the AI edit crossed a line because it attempted to recreate the narrative of the film.”

The insider added that security around the current schedule near Ghodbunder Road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, has now tightened significantly. “This set in Mumbai is a busy area, so removing phone access won’t help much. But movement in the action portions and crucial scenes has become extremely restricted.”

King is now nearing completion, with “nearly two months of shoot pending”. “King is in its final leg. A lot of patchwork, action inserts, and another schedule remains to be done, with VFX work going on simultaneously. The film is looking to wrap by July-end,” the source revealed. 

“Please do not post or circulate any leaked multimedia from the sets of ‘King’. The team is working around the clock to ensure the best cinematic experience for everyone. Let us wait for the surprise on the big screen.”

Soon after announcing her second pregnancy on April 19, it has been work as usual for Deepika Padukone. 

mid-day has learnt that the actor returned to the set of King on April 21, kicking off a two-day shoot of an action set-piece alongside leading man Shah Rukh Khan.

Sources revealed that true to his style, filmmaker Siddharth Anand envisioned a hyper-stylised fight sequence that sees the two superstars in combat with eight fighters.

An insider shared, “Shah Rukh and Deepika filmed the scene on April 21 and 22, with the latter dressed in an all-white outfit. A special set was constructed at Golden Tobacco Studio in Vile Parle. The combat choreography is in line with the film’s larger-than-life treatment.”

More adrenaline rush seems to be in store for Padukone, as far as King’s shoot is concerned. The source added, “Siddharth has planned another elaborate set-piece against a sandy backdrop. It will be shot in a Mira Road studio.”

Padukone, who welcomed her first child Dua with actor and her husband Ranveer Singh in September 2024, also has Allu Arjun-starrer Raaka on her plate.

There appears to be a last-minute location shift for King, starring Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana. The unit was scheduled to shoot a large-scale desert action sequence, featuring Anil Kapoor and Suhana, in Dubai. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia has prompted filmmaker Siddharth Anand to call off the international leg and reimagine it in Mumbai.

According to a source close to the production, the Dubai schedule was locked months in advance. “The team had procured the necessary permissions to shoot in the emirate. It was supposed to be a week-long schedule from April 9. But given the dynamic situation in the region, the makers decided not to take any risk with the cast and crew’s safety.”

Instead, the sequence will now be filmed in a Vile Parle studio, where the production design team has recreated a desert landscape.

“They’ve gone all out to match the scale that Siddharth envisioned for the set-piece. In fact, this gives them more control over action beats and lighting. The sequence begins with a chase, resulting in an intense combat.”

There’s more action coming Shah Rukh Khan’s way as he gears up for the next leg of ‘King’. mid-day has learnt that filmmaker Siddharth Anand has flown in 10 Russian fighters for a key action set-piece that will be filmed at Golden Tobacco Studios in Vile Parle, Mumbai, next week.

According to sources close to the production, an elaborate set depicting an old and long abandoned mill has been constructed at the venue. Beginning March 23, it will be a week-long shoot of fight sequences featuring Khan. “It’s one of the most elaborate action stretches planned for the film. The stunts designed are gritty and realistic, and the stunt artistes have been prepping for the past few weeks.”

It’s not all kicks and punches though. The director will also film a special dance sequence, which insiders are touting to be a special highlight, next month.

The source added, “It’s designed as a big moment in the film — visually striking and mounted on a scale that complements the larger-than-life tone of ‘King’.” 

The movie also stars Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, and Suhana Khan.

Going by the first look and date announcement video of ‘King’, the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer promises to be an action spectacle. The superstar and his daughter Suhana Khan recently wrapped up an eight-day action schedule of filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s thriller at Ellora Studios in Bhayandar.

Sources told mid-day that the sequence plays out against the backdrop of Vijayadashami celebrations, and an elaborate set was designed for it.

A source close to the production revealed, “The team recreated the scale and energy of a Vijayadashami procession with drums, colours, and the frenzy that is seen on the immersion day. Shah Rukh and Suhana shot with a huge crowd, consisting of hundreds of background performers, across eight nights. Suhana also performed several stunts.”

Actor Arshad Warsi, during his recent visit to the city, expressed his deep affection for the people of Lucknow and its culture, recalling warm exchanges with locals on set and praising the city’s renowned hospitality and courteous etiquette. In an exclusive interview with us, the Dedh Ishqiya actor spoke about his three decades in the industry and what keeps him relevant, his kids’ desire to be actors, and the secret behind his ever‑cheerful vibe. Excerpts…

I love Lucknow. Every time I come here, I feel the city is getting better. The people are warm, polite and full of tehzeeb. I have been coming here for the past 30-years and there is a huge difference in Lucknow then and now! The city is cleaner, more organized, and the spirit is still the same.

Also, I love both Lucknow’s chicken and chikan (kurtas). I remember, we were shooting Dedh Ishqiya in the courtyard of a house in old Lucknow and I casually mentioned to Naseer saab (Naseeruddin Shah) that ‘hamein ek hafta ho gaya Lucknow mein aur humne yahan kebabs nahi khaye hain abhi tak’. People around us heard that and in no time a few of them got kebabs from their homes for us! We had so many kebabs that the entire unit could feast on them that day. That’s the kind of affection you get here in Lucknow — instant, sweet and real. Here, even the smallest conversation has respect in it. Mumbaikars are casual in their tone, but Lucknowites’ speech has grace and sweetness.

Honestly, you can’t manufacture these things. You can put up an act and fake for fifteen minutes, but the truth ultimately shows. I think I’m just lucky and have a cheerful nature — maybe school and upbringing shaped that. I stay happy, and that reflects. I believe what you give is what you get. I’ve been nice to people, and they’ve been the same back to me. That’s the real secret. Everybody in the industry has been nice to me and so have I been to them. You get what you give. I teach and tell my kids the same thing.

Yes, both my son and daughter want to act. My son is currently assisting Siddharth Anand and has assisted Rajkumari Hirani. Of course, I’m scared — it is a tough job today. Acting is not an easy profession anymore as the success rate is so low. Out of 150 crore, a handful become actors.

Nobody can help anybody here — you have to make your own way. I can’t make a call to a director and ask them to invest hundreds of crores on my kids. Koi mere bete pe satta kyun lagayega? Even a casual call to a filmmaker to meet my kids means to expect them take them in their project, which I will not do. Why would anybody do that? Why would filmmakers bet on my kids if I ask them to do so? Why should I recommend my kids to anyone?

Oh yes, definitely! I am going to direct someday, I don’t know when but I know it will happen for sure. If you ask me what’s delaying my direction dream, it’s the continuous flow of acting offers. I do not make much noise about myself but I am pretty busy. I really need to get off my acting work to direct.

Not really. Aryan (Khan), the director of the series, is a very special kid. He is one of those directors who has a movie playing in his head. I did a small part in the series because I like him and Shah Rukh (Khan). But the outcome was huge. And working with him I realized that he is one of those directors whom you listen to when he speaks and act on it. While doing the series, I was 100 per cent sure the youngsters will love it. But I wasn’t sure about the grownups. And nothing what you saw in my character was impromptu, it was all scripted and envisioned by Aryan. The success of the song and my character Ghafoor is due to Aryan.

In September, US President Donald Trump reiterated his plan to impose a 100 per cent tariff on all films made outside the US. Even as details about when the tariff will come into effect and how it will impact other film industries remain unclear, Akshay Oberoi — who grew up in the US before moving to India in 2008 to pursue acting — believes there may be a silver lining to it. “It will definitely take a toll, but it may also make us focus on satisfying our own audience instead of chasing global validation,” he says.

The actor, recently seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, has two projects lined up in Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups and Shah Rukh Khan’s King.

Point out that the tariffs may affect the global audience for such big films, and Oberoi analyses, “In Hindi cinema, I think we started losing our core audience. Hindi films were trying too hard to be Hollywood. Characters started feeling like they’d landed from New York instead of being desi. Maybe now we’ll return to entertaining the common man. Trump’s policies are unpredictable, but I’m trying to find a silver lining. Maybe this will push us to create stronger films for our audience.”

Oberoi will soon resume shooting for King. The actor says that director Siddharth Anand was his primary reason to say yes to the action thriller.

“Sid and his team have my loyalty. I didn’t ask any questions, I just showed up. They’ve not only helped my career with Fighter [2024], but are the nicest people in the business.”

Actor Rishabh Sawhney recently returned to the country after his film, Echoes Of Valour, was showcased at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. This second outing is a stark contrast to his role as the main antagonist in Hrithik Roshan-starrer Fighter (2024).

“After Fighter, I was being typecast and was only offered macho villainous roles which weren’t intriguing enough to pursue,” the 30-year-old tells us, adding, “As much as I love commercial films, I was looking for a festival film to explore this side of storytelling. It wasn’t a difficult transition, but a conscious choice.”

Having worked with filmmaker Sidharth Anand made the shift easier. He shares, “Both directors have very different sensibilities when it comes to filmmaking. But I definitely felt more confident on the sets of the festival film, having already worked on a mega-budget project.”

While some believe that a film or actor doing the rounds at global platforms has automatically made it big, Rishabh begs to differ. “I don’t think that I have arrived yet. But my experience working on the film was very emotional and I am glad it received a great response,” he signs off.

Shah Rukh Khan’s fans rejoiced when King went on floors in June as they were eager to see the superstar, who last appeared in Dunki (2023), on screen again. But it looks like their date with their idol might get pushed to late 2026, or 2027 even. Sources reveal that filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s action thriller, which was to hit screens in October 2026, will now arrive later because of Khan’s recent shoulder injury. He reportedly sustained the injury while filming an action sequence for the movie. 

An insider reveals, “King’s team has hit pause on the shoot. Shah Rukh needs to rest it out for weeks before he can face the camera again. It is an action-heavy film, so the team doesn’t want to take a chance with his health.”

The thriller, which marks Shah Rukh’s first screen outing with daughter Suhana Khan, began with an extensive schedule in Mumbai. Next on the plan was an international stint.

The insider adds, “The team is now chalking out the plan for the next schedule. Earlier, King was being pegged as a Gandhi Jayanti 2026 offering. That is not possible now; it may get pushed by months to have an early 2027 release.”

In June, mid-day reported that Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Siddharth Anand were conducting a crucial schedule of King at Mehboob Studios in Bandra, Mumbai, from May 21 (Locked up, charged up, June 17). Now, we’ve heard that the unit has taken a break before it charges ahead for an extensive Europe schedule in the last week of August.

The next leg of the spy thriller, which reportedly sees Shah Rukh play mentor to Suhana Khan as they lock horns with Abhishek Bachchan’s antagonist, will take them across European countries.

A source says, “Locations are currently being locked. The shortlisted cities include Budapest, Prague, and possibly Berlin, where sleek chase sequences will unfold. Siddharth wants these sequences to be stunning, and has apparently told his team to scout for some never-before-seen locales.”

Meanwhile, even as the cast and crew are on a break, a few indoor crowd scenes will be shot on controlled sets in the next few weeks. The source adds, “These will be quick, smaller-unit shoots aimed at filling plot gaps without requiring the full crew’s return.”

Shah Rukh, who is also producing King, is said to be deeply involved in its VFX. The film also stars Rani Mukerji and Deepika Padukone.

Shah Rukh Khan’s next film King boasts an ensemble cast with actors Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Raghav Juyal, Anil Kapoor, Suhana Khan and Abhay Verma reportedly being a part of it. Recent reports had suggested that Jaideep Ahlawat has also come onboard, and the actor has now confirmed it.

Jaideep revealed he is a part of Shah Rukh’s King and recalled how he came on board. He told Lallantop in an interview, “SRK sir kaafi time se soch rahe the iss cheez ko, jaisa mujhe pata laga hai, but Siddharth (Anand, director) bhai thoda hichak rahe honge ki chota part hai to offer after Jewel Thief. But Khan saab being Khan saab, he said, ‘I’ll talk to him’. Ab unki baat kaun nakaarega.”

He further heaped praise on Shah Rukh and said, “I really like him. In all my interactions with him — in the five to seven times we’ve met — starting from Raees (2017), where I shot with him for four to five days, and even after that... he always made me feel like I was the closest person to him. He’s a wonderful human being. He has some amazing qualities. Every time I’ve met him, he’s made me feel important.”

When Shah Rukh Khan and filmmaker Siddharth Anand are teaming up, an ambitious action sequence is a given. Less than a month after King — which unites the superstar on screen with daughter Suhana Khan, in her big-screen debut — went on floors, the actor has apparently begun filming an action set-piece. What are Shah Rukh and Anand offering this time, after giving us some memorable fight sequences in Pathaan (2023)? A jail sequence, we’ve heard.

Sources tell us that on Monday, Shah Rukh kicked off the action portions at Mehboob Studios, Bandra, where the unit will shoot until June 21.

A source revealed, “The scene is set in a foreign jail, where the protagonist takes on a gang of baddies. Since it forms a critical part of the narrative, Siddharth has flown in three international stunt experts to design the scene. On June 15, the crowd portions were canned with nearly 200 stunt performers.”

With Pathaan and Jawan (2023) behind him, Shah Rukh is not a stranger to action. The actor, who reportedly plays an assassin in the thriller, underwent weeks-long training before reporting to the shoot. “The stunts are unlike what he did in Jawan and Pathaan. Siddharth wants to present him in a raw avatar,” added the source.

Abhishek Bachchan, who plays the antagonist, is not part of this stint.

A wave of relief has washed over India after the country and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, after the past few days of conflict. The Indian film industry, which had postponed some of its activities, is also hopeful that things will resume normalcy in the weeks to come. Yet, there are talks within production houses about taking it slow with regard to their immediate projects. Among the biggest films readying to roll is Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which sees him share screen space with his daughter and actor Suhana Khan.

Director Siddharth Anand was reportedly planning to call action on the thriller on May 16.

A source says, “Despite the ceasefire, things remain sensitive and the situation is dynamic. So, everyone is wondering whether this would be a good time to take their projects on floors. The team of King has been working towards May 16, which is when they’re expected to begin filming. But a slight delay won’t be surprising as it would be preferable to go on set when the atmosphere is less tense.”

Last week, as military tension escalated between India and Pakistan, Kamal Haasan and Aamir Khan postponed Thug Life’s audio launch and Sitaare Zameen Par’s trailer launch respectively. While there have been no incidents of shoots being cancelled, the talk is that some investors are contemplating pulling out of projects even as the ceasefire has de-escalated the situation.

“The after-effects of the India-Pakistan conflict are being felt across the board. People aren’t confident that releasing films right now would yield success. They are also considering waiting it out before setting up big projects. The industry is being cautious,” adds the source. 

Who is ruling the internet the past few days? Jaideep Ahlawat, with his smooth dance moves. Give the actor a role and he will knock it out of the park, but no one expected him to burn the dance floor. That is, until viewers saw Jaadu, the party number from Jewel Thief, also starring Saif Ali Khan and Nikita Dutta.

“No one, not even Siddharth and Mamta [Anand, producers] had any idea that I liked dancing. When I was asked to do it, I said, ‘I can manage this much dance,’” he smiles.

Ahlawat didn’t exactly spring a surprise on us. In a 2021 interview, the actor had told mid-day that he wanted to strap on dancing shoes for the screen (Want to tell everyone I’m a dancer as well, April 15, 2021).

Bring it up and he says, “I knew I could dance, but for some reason, such a script never reached me. Here, Sid sir and the makers thought of making me dance. They could have easily shot the song only with Saif and Nikita. But Kunal bhai [Kapoor] and I were included. I saw the opportunity and accepted it.”

That’s not it. We’ll see him shaking a leg again soon. “I did a film before Jewel Thief. Its release got delayed,” he tells us.

The Netflix heist thriller, with its dialogue-baazi and cat-and-mouse chase between the protagonists, comes as a departure from Ahlawat’s serious offerings. How was it playing to the gallery? “Ek dum mast,” he says.

“I’ve done all of this before, for instance, in Commando [2013], which had only dialogue after dialogue. This kind of dialogue-baazi becomes fun when you know it’s not force-fitted. We have grown up watching [Amitabh] Bachchan saab, then Shah Rukh [Khan] saab. So, there is no prep needed to play such a character.”

While Ahlawat has teamed up with Khan in the Robbie Grewal and Kookie Gulati-directed thriller, he also shared screen space with the co-star’s wife and actor Kareena Kapoor Khan in Jaane Jaan (2023). “Ab main family member kaha jaa sakta hoon,” he quips.

When we ask him if there are any differences or similarities between the two actors, Ahlawat shares, “As actors, they are slightly different. Jaane Jaan was quite serious. So, [her] preparation was different. But the one thing I found interesting is that despite being such big stars, both of them never intimidate you with their stardom.”

There has been much anticipation and activity surrounding King over the past year. That begs the question—when will the Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan-starrer roll? While reports suggested that filmmaker Siddharth Anand would take the action drama on floors by April 2025, mid-day has now learnt that he will call action on it only by July. 

It turns out the superstar wants the script to be perfected down to the last detail, as the film marks his daughter Suhana’s big-screen debut. Anand and Sujoy Ghosh, who was earlier supposed to helm it, are fine-tuning the material with their co-writers.

A source says, “Scripting is going on. The makers want to ensure they have a terrific script at hand before the camera starts rolling. King not only sees Suhana coming on the big screen for the first time, but also features the father-daughter duo together. Keeping these factors in mind, Shah Rukh wants the team to take their time to polish the material and deliver an ambitious movie. The team is now planning to begin filming in July-August.”

King, which stars Abhishek Bachchan as the antagonist, is easily among the most anticipated movies of 2026. Shah Rukh, who is reuniting with Anand after their blockbuster Pathaan (2023), reportedly plays an assassin, and Suhana, his protégé.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan left fans in awe on Sunday at an event at the Global Village in Dubai, with videos and pictures of him dancing and interacting with the audience doing the rounds across social media.

In one stand out clip shared by a fan page, the 59-year-old can be heard quipping in his trademark witty style, “I am turning 60 in one more year — this year — but damn, I look like 30! I just want to tell you, ‘Main kuch cheezein bhool jaata hoon yaar’.”

In another video, Shah Rukh spoke about his upcoming film King: “I’m not just shooting it here, I’m shooting it in Mumbai now when I go back in a couple of months. My director Siddharth Anand is very strict. He said, ‘Don’t tell people about what you are doing in the film.’ But I can assure you it will entertain you, you’ll have fun.”

The actor worked with Siddharth in Pathaan (2023). King is reported to feature Shah Rukh’s daughter, Suhana Khan.

Saif Ali Khan’s Jewel Thief—The Red Sun Chapter is one of those rare films to reach the finish line twice. First, director Robbie Grewal called a wrap on the heist thriller in May. Last month, mid-day reported that producer Siddharth Anand had roped in director Kookie Gulati, believing he would be a better fit, to revisit some scenes and shoot two songs of the Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Nikita Dutta-starrer (Plot twist in the heist, November 16). Now, after a three-week schedule, it’s a wrap again on the film.

With a robbery at the centre of the plot, Anand wanted the movie to be pacy and slick. Sources say that Gulati reimagined an action sequence and shot it with Khan at Mehboob Studios in Bandra.

A source from the unit reveals, “Siddharth wanted to enhance the action and tension in a particular scene reflecting the heist. So, late last month, a set was built at the Bandra studio. Saif and another actor, who plays a significant role in the film, shot the sequence. Part of the set-piece was also filmed against the green screen. Saif rehearsed extensively with action director Parvez Shaikh before filming it. Kookie is now supervising the VFX work on it.”

Between mid-November and December 1, Gulati also shot two songs. While one was a romantic track filmed in Alibaug on the leading man and Dutta, the other was a peppy dance number. The source adds, “It was choreographed by Shazia Samji and Piyush Bhagat, and featured the entire cast.”

What’s a heist thriller without a last-minute twist? In this case, it’s off screen. In late May, Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat had wrapped up Jewel Thief—The Red Sun Chapter, following a 10-day schedule in Budapest and a patchwork shoot in Mumbai. But now, it turns out the shoot is not quite over. mid-day has learnt that the unit will report back to the set to film two songs and re-shoot some scenes. Surprisingly, the new portions will be shot not by director Robbie Grewal, but by Kookie Gulati of The Big Bull (2021) fame.

From what we’ve heard, the inclusions have been recommended by Siddharth Anand, who has written and produced the crime thriller that sees Khan and Ahlawat’s characters in a battle of wits. Sources tell us that after the Budapest schedule was wrapped up in May-end, Grewal dove headlong into the film’s post-production.

“The team completed the patchwork by June. But recently, Siddharth felt that some scenes needed to be revisited to up the heist thriller’s slick feel. He also was of the opinion that two more songs would enhance its appeal. While Robbie felt the existing cut is pacy and slick enough, he understood the producer’s need to make it more appealing to the audience with the new numbers. So, for now, Robbie is focusing on the post-production while Siddharth has roped in Kookie to film the additional parts,” reveals a source.

Gulati was Anand’s first choice for the job as he has directed over 300 music videos. The source adds, “The first song and a few scenes, featuring Saif and leading lady Nikita Dutta, will be shot in Alibaug this weekend. Sid has briefed Kookie that the sequences, which are being re-shot, need to have more drama and action. Another song will be filmed at Mehboob Studios with the entire cast later this month. The dance track will be choreographed by Shazia Samji and Piyush Bhagat.”

Khan, who sports long hair and a beard in the movie, has grown his hair again for the upcoming stint. 

  

When mid-day reached out to Grewal, he said, “We were to shoot [these portions] in August, but it got pushed to November. Since I was already committed to an Amazon show in this [window], I couldn’t do it. Kookie was kind enough to step in and help us out.”