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Shah Rukh Khan in King, the Siddharth Anand directorial that is generating significant buzz in the global film market. (Img: X)
Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King has made a major mark in the international film market even before arriving in cinemas. The Siddharth Anand directorial has reportedly secured an overseas distribution agreement worth Rs 175 crore, making it one of the biggest international distribution deals for an Indian film.
According to the reports, Dubai-based Phars Films has acquired the overseas distribution rights through a minimum guarantee (MG) agreement. The development marks a significant change in the film’s distribution strategy with Yash Raj Films, which was previously expected to oversee its international release, no longer handling the responsibility.
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The reported Rs 175 crore agreement is particularly noteworthy because overseas distribution arrangements for several Hindi films have traditionally followed a commission-based model.
Under an MG arrangement, the distributor commits a predetermined amount upfront, offering producers greater financial certainty before the film's theatrical performance becomes clear.
Phars Films is expected to distribute King directly in the Middle East while partnering with regional distributors across other international territories. Germany has reportedly shown strong interest, while markets such as North America and the United Kingdom could see changes in their distribution arrangements.
Despite the impressive deal, the film faces considerable box office expectations. Industry estimates suggest King may need to generate approximately $48-50 million overseas to recover the reported distribution commitment.
For perspective, Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan and Jawan each collected around $49 million in international markets in 2023. This puts the upcoming film under pressure to deliver a comparable performance.
Directed by Siddharth Anand and backed by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, King features Shah Rukh Khan alongside Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Arshad Warsi.
The film is scheduled to release in theatres on December 24, 2026, placing it in the competitive Christmas holiday window. Its international box office performance will determine whether the record-breaking deal translates into a major commercial success.
