King reportedly lands a record ₹175 crore overseas deal, as Anirudh exits

Shah Rukh Khan’s King is less than eight weeks from cinemas, and its overseas business is already making headlines.

Phars Films has acquired the film’s international distribution rights for a minimum guarantee of ₹175 crore, according to an exclusive Pinkvilla report citing sources close to the company. Yash Raj Films had earlier been expected to handle the overseas release. NDTV Profit also reported the deal.

Pinkvilla said no Indian film had previously fetched an overseas minimum guarantee of even ₹100 crore. Most Bollywood overseas releases now run on a commission basis, it noted, with the distributor taking a fee rather than paying a guaranteed sum upfront. Phars, which is based in the Middle East, is expected to sell most territories to sub-distributors.

A change in the music room

Composer Anirudh Ravichander has amicably parted ways with the film because of a packed schedule, Bollywood Hungama reported, citing a source. Sachin-Jigar will now compose the album and the background score, the report said, while Anirudh’s theme track stays and will be reworked for the score. Deccan Herald and The Times of India also carried the report.

A birthday song

The first song from King will be released on 2 November, Shah Rukh Khan’s 61st birthday, Variety India reported, with the trailer to follow later. Khan said on X in September that Arijit Singh sings the film’s lead track. NDTV and The Times of India also reported the song date.

King, directed by Siddharth Anand, releases on 24 December. The makers have not been quoted on the deal or the music change in these reports.