Shah Rukh Khan King Overseas Rights Sold for ₹175 Crore

Shah Rukh Khan’s King has made history by securing overseas theatrical rights for ₹175 crore — a record for Indian cinema. The film, set for a December 24 release, must earn at least ₹350 crore abroad to recoup its investment. Phars Films acquired the rights.

By Call Sheet2 hours ago1 min read

Current hype level78

Shah Rukh Khan’s King has made history by securing overseas theatrical rights for ₹175 crore — a record for Indian cinema, according to reports from Filmfare and The Times of India. The deal, struck with Phars Films, marks the first time an Indian film has crossed the ₹100 crore threshold in international distribution rights.

The action-packed film, directed by Siddharth Anand and set for a December 24 release, stars Shah Rukh Khan alongside Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma, Arshad Warsi, and Raghav Juyal. The background score is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. To recoup its investment, King must generate between ₹350 crore and ₹375 crore in foreign markets, effectively needing to double the amount paid for rights.

That’s not just a target. It’s a necessity. The film will have to outperform even Pathaan and Jawan, which each grossed nearly $47–48 million internationally. Dunki added further momentum in 2023, pushing combined overseas earnings past $100 million.

SRK’s global appeal remains unmatched: since the mid-1990s, films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge have drawn loyal audiences across the US, UK, Middle East, Canada, and Australia. His ability to connect through romance, identity, and emotion has built a fanbase that extends into markets like Germany, where fans have been known to line up ahead of Hollywood premieres.

This isn’t just about box office numbers. It’s about legacy. With 15 consecutive years topping the annual highest-grossing Hindi film overseas list, SRK remains Bollywood’s foremost global star. Now, with King, the stakes are higher than ever.

A record deal was only possible because of that legacy, but it’s now up to the film to deliver on the promise. The clock starts ticking on December 24.