King: Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor reunite after 30 years for Shah Rukh Khan’s action thriller

Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, one of Hindi cinema’s long-standing screen pairings, are coming together once again for King, the upcoming action drama led by Shah Rukh Khan. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film is set to begin filming on May 20, 2025. Jackie, Anil, and Shah Rukh have earlier worked together in the 1995 film Trimurti, which was a major release of its time. With its expansive cast and global production schedule, King is already gaining attention.

Their reunion comes decades after Ram Lakhan (1989), a film that established their chemistry as brothers. This time, they return in a very different setup. While Shroff’s character remains undisclosed, Kapoor will reportedly play Shah Rukh Khan’s handler—a senior figure guiding his character, a trained assassin, through an underworld of covert operations.

“There were several actors in contention, but Anil Kapoor was unanimously chosen for the part,” a source told Pinkvilla. “His on-screen presence and experience bring the right weight to the role.” The film is expected to explore darker emotional terrain through Shah Rukh Khan’s character, who will appear in a more grounded and intense role.

King also features a large supporting cast, including Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, and Arshad Warsi. To elevate the action, international stunt teams have been hired, promising sequences designed for the big screen. The film’s India schedule begins in Mumbai and will be followed by a European leg. It will be shot over a span of 100 days, aiming for a theatrical release between October and December 2026.

The soundtrack will feature compositions by Sachin–Jigar, with Anirudh taking charge of the background score. Music is expected to complement the film’s mood without overpowering the narrative.

As the film heads into production, the return of Shroff and Kapoor marks more than just a nostalgic moment. Their reunion is being closely watched to see how it fits into today’s cinematic landscape. It’s not only about reliving the past but seeing whether experienced performers can lend weight to contemporary action storytelling.