Few stars command attention the way Shah Rukh Khan does. Whether he’s charming audiences on screen, addressing fans on his birthday or redefining himself with every new role, SRK continues to be the heartbeat of Indian cinema. As he celebrated his 60th birthday, the superstar unveiled the first look of his much-anticipated 2026 film King, instantly setting the Internet ablaze.
The teaser showed Shah Rukh Khan in a rugged new avatar — a blue shirt, tan jacket and salt-and-pepper look, performing intense stunts in a gritty action sequence. But what began as excitement among fans soon turned into a debate. Within hours, social media users began comparing SRK’s look in King to Brad Pitt’s upcoming appearance in the Hollywood racing film F1.
Side-by-side images of the two actors went viral, with some users suggesting that Bollywood had “taken inspiration”, while others accused the makers of copying. The debate quickly spiraled, filling timelines with memes, jokes and fiery arguments. Amid the buzz, one user sarcastically questioned why Bollywood is so often accused of copying everything, pointing out that even the smallest similarities spark controversy. The tweet humorously remarked that whenever a Hindi film shows a fighter jet, it’s compared to Top Gun; if there’s a ship, it’s Titanic; and if someone wears a similar outfit, it becomes a “copy” of Hollywood.
Director Siddharth Anand, known for his blockbuster action films, reacted to the viral post with a light-hearted response, a couple of laughing emojis and the same number of “okay” hand gestures showing he wasn’t taking the criticism seriously. His reaction quickly earned praise from fans who admired his calm confidence amid the chatter.
Here is the tweet:
https://x.com/justSidAnand/status/1985295723534196864
Speaking at a fan meet, Shah Rukh Khan also opened up about his character in King, describing it as dark and complex, with shades of ruthlessness and mystery. He said that the film’s writers Siddharth Anand and Sujoy Ghosh had poured a lot of thought and emotion into the story, crafting a character unlike anything he’s played before.
Alongside Shah Rukh, the film features a powerhouse ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Jackie Shroff, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat and Abhay Verma. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, King is set for release in 2026.
Promising to be a slick, high-octane action entertainer, King is said to showcase SRK like never before — raw, intense and magnetic. If the first look has proven anything, it’s that no matter the comparisons, Shah Rukh Khan still knows how to make the whole world watch.
