SRK-Suhana Khan Starrer King Sparks Domestic Distribution Buzz; Rs. 200 Crore Advance on the Table
Following the recent announcement that Yash Raj Films will handle the overseas distribution for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King, trade insiders are now focused on the domestic distribution rights for the highly anticipated holiday release. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, the film stars the father–daughter duo of Shah Rukh and Suhana Khan.
According to industry sources, several leading studios are vying for the India rights, including A.A. Films, Yash Raj Films (Distribution), Jio Studios, PVRINOX Pictures, Pen Marudhar, and Dharma Productions. Among these, Pen Marudhar, Jio Studios, and PVRINOX are currently seen as the front-runners, though no official announcements have been made yet.
The top offer on the table is reportedly around Rs. 200 crore advance, with an 8% distribution commission, making it one of the largest commission-based deals in recent years. Commission-based distribution has become the norm in modern Bollywood, with studios either running in-house teams or partnering with distributors instead of outright acquisitions.
Pen Marudhar is seen as a strong contender, thanks to their past association with Red Chillies, having distributed Shah Rukh’s previous hits Jawan and Dunki. PVRINOX also has an edge, owning India’s largest multiplex chain, while Jio Studios is making a strong push to expand its theatrical slate in 2026, starting with Dhurandhar 2 and ending with King.
Directed by Siddharth Anand of Pathaan fame, King is set to release on 24th December in India. With Hollywood blockbusters like Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three hitting screens a week earlier, securing a strong domestic distributor could be key to maximizing its showcase and box office potential. Industry watchers expect an official announcement on the domestic rights soon.