Shah Rukh Khan's new King poster: a rose, a gun and 'Qaatil Nahi.. Aashiq Hoon' ahead of the 24 December release
Shah Rukh Khan has unveiled a fiery new poster for Siddharth Anand's King, with a rose between his lips and the caption 'Qaatil Nahi.. Aashiq Hoon'. The action thriller releases in theatres worldwide on 24 December 2026.
Shah Rukh Khan has dropped a fresh poster for King, and it is not subtle. Released on 27 October 2026, it shows SRK with a red rose clamped between his lips, a bloodied, battle-worn look and a stare that could stop traffic, under the line "Qaatil Nahi.. Aashiq Hoon…" – not a killer, a lover. The Siddharth Anand action thriller remains locked for a worldwide theatrical release on 24 December 2026, which makes it Bollywood's big Christmas bet.
What the new King poster shows
Variety India describes a rugged SRK with tousled blonde hair and a bloodied chest, walking through a fire-filled frame of flames, sparks and wreckage with a gun in one hand and that rose in his mouth. Bollywood Hungama and The Hans India both point to the same mix the caption promises: brutal action on the surface, old-school romance underneath. In other words, the man who gave India Raj and Rahul is now playing the lover who also happens to be very good at breaking things.
The caption also nods to his own past. Variety India notes the post plays on "Baadshah O Baadshah", the title track of his 1999 film Baadshah – a cheeky wink for fans who have been with him since the VHS days.
Who is in King, and who is making it
King reunites Shah Rukh Khan with director Siddharth Anand, the pair behind the 2023 blockbuster Pathaan. The film is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. Red Chillies' own film page sells it simply as "A New Shah Rukh Khan Experience".
Suhana Khan, SRK's daughter, makes her big-screen debut in a prominent role, while Abhishek Bachchan plays the main antagonist, according to The Hollywood Reporter India and Bollywood Hungama. That father-daughter pairing alone makes this one of the most talked-about Hindi films of the year, and the big ensemble around them only adds to the buzz.
The road so far: from title teaser to Christmas date
The title and first teaser arrived on Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday on 2 November 2025, when Siddharth Anand promised fans "a new Shah Rukh Khan experience". In January 2026, timed to the third anniversary of Pathaan, a second teaser locked the date: SRK in a fierce new avatar against a snowy mountain, with the line "It's time to roar and end the year with fear" before 24 December flashed on screen.
Now the rose-and-gun poster turns up the heat further, and it is the clearest hint yet of the film's tone: an action thriller with a romantic heart, built entirely around its star.
The Hollywood clash, and what it means for Indian fans
King lands just a week after two Hollywood heavyweights, Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, both set for 18 December 2026, as The Hollywood Reporter India reported. Variety India adds that the makers have said their release plans are unaffected despite chatter about a shift. For Indian audiences, that sets up a packed December at multiplexes and single screens across the country, with screen counts and premium formats likely to be fought over hard.
If you are planning your year-end movie calendar, the date to circle is 24 December 2026, in theatres. Keep an eye on Red Chillies Entertainment's official channels for the next big promo drop.
The FHM take
A rose, a gun and a line that sounds like a dialogue-baazi trailer moment – this poster is Shah Rukh Khan doing exactly what he does best: mixing menace with romance and daring you not to look. With Siddharth Anand back in charge and the Christmas slot locked, King already feels like the event film of December. Our opinion: Thanos and the sandworms should be the ones worried.
Spotted a mistake, or your photo used without permission? Report a correction
in your inbox