In a startling turn of events, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has been cast as the antagonist in the highly anticipated film ‘King,’ directed by Sujoy Ghosh. The film is drawing curiosity not only for its star-studded cast but also due to the fact that it is rumored to take inspiration from the English-language French production, ‘Leon: The Professional’ (1994). This news has fans and critics alike buzzing with anticipation, setting the stage for an extraordinary cinematic experience.
‘King’ is backed by the renowned filmmaker and producer Siddharth Anand, who has promised to present Abhishek Bachchan in an avatar that the audience has never seen before. If sources are to be believed, ‘King’ will feature a high-octane face-off between Abhishek Bachchan’s character and Shah Rukh Khan, who plays a mafia don. This battle of the titans is expected to be one of the film’s highlight moments that viewers won’t soon forget.
Reflecting on the conceptual framework of ‘King,’ insiders note its inspiration from ‘Leon: The Professional,’ a film known for its gripping narrative and complex characters. The original movie tells the story of a professional hitman who reluctantly takes in a twelve-year-old girl after her family is brutally murdered by a corrupt official. The two form an unusual bond as she becomes his protégée, learning the deadly skills he has mastered over the years. How these elements will be adapted into ‘King’ remains a tantalizing mystery.
Producer Siddharth Anand has high expectations from Abhishek, noting that his full acting potential is yet to be realized. “Abhishek Bachchan is an actor whose full potential has yet to be fully realized. He has the ability to astonish audiences when given complex roles. King presents him in an out-and-out negative role for the first time in such a large-scale commercial movie, and he is sure to make a significant impact with his performance. Jr. Bachchan was surprised when he was offered this role but accepted it immediately, intrigued by the depth of his character.
. It’s a special role, and Siddharth Anand has grand plans to present Abhishek in a manner audiences have never seen before,” a source close to the development told Peeping Moon.
Beyond Abhishek’s groundbreaking role, ‘King’ also marks the highly anticipated big-screen debut of Suhana Khan, the daughter of Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan. Suhana previously ventured into acting with Zoya Akhtar’s film ‘The Archies’ in 2023. In ‘King,’ she will be seen playing a parallel lead alongside her father, adding another layer of excitement to the film. Reportedly, the script of ‘King’ has undergone several rewrites in recent months to ensure the perfect blend of narrative depth and audience appeal.
The movie represents a reunion for Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Sujoy Ghosh, who previously collaborated on the production venture ‘Bob Biswas’ in 2021, which was directed by Sujoy Ghosh’s daughter, Diya Ghosh. Their renewed collaboration is expected to blend their unique cinematic sensibilities into a spellbinding narrative.
Siddharth Anand and Shah Rukh Khan are also reuniting after the blockbuster success of ‘Pathaan,’ making ‘King’ Anand’s second collaboration with the Bollywood icon. However, this will be the first full-fledged collaboration between Siddharth Anand and Abhishek Bachchan, and expectations are high. The film, which will also showcase Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan sharing screen space for the first time, is currently in pre-production, with a target release date slated for late 2025 or early 2026.
Produced under Siddharth Anand’s Marflix banner in partnership with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘King’ embodies a promise of spectacular storytelling, high drama, and intense performances. As the project moves forward, the prospect of seeing Abhishek Bachchan in a villainous role adds an intriguing layer of complexity to what is already shaping up to be one of Bollywood’s most compelling cinematic offerings in years.
With the cast and crew gearing up for what promises to be an extraordinary project, the excitement surrounding ‘King’ is palpable. As more details emerge, it becomes increasingly clear that ‘King’ is set to be a milestone in contemporary Indian cinema. Both fans and critics eagerly await a film that could redefine genres and set new standards in storytelling and acting alike.
Stay tuned as ‘King’ continues to build momentum, preparing to take audiences on an unforgettable cinematic journey.
