The promotional campaign for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action film, 'King', has hit a snag following intense scrutiny from social media users. Shortly after the release of the film's new poster on Tuesday, October 27, observers began drawing parallels between its visual composition and that of the film 'Dhurandhar 2', headlined by Ranveer Singh. The discourse quickly spiraled into accusations of derivative aesthetics, with many users highlighting similarities in the framing, the presence of fire in the background, and the overall look of the promotional image.
Discontent among certain sections of the audience was swift. One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “Every masterpiece has its cheap copy,” while others took more direct aim at the creative team. Several commentators alleged that the poster was an attempt to emulate the style of existing films. One critic wrote, “You can try to copy the aesthetic, the fire and the frame, but you can never be Dhurandhar, @iamsrk.” Another user went further, suggesting that the film's script and promotional material were heavily borrowed from various other projects, including 'Leon: The Professional' and 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'.
The criticism intensified as users compiled lists of perceived inspirations for the film’s promotional imagery. One social media user claimed the first poster for 'King' drew heavily from the visual language used in the Brad Pitt-starrer 'F1', while the second echoed the style of 'Dhurandhar 2'. These users collectively labeled director Siddharth Anand a “copy-paste master” and expressed skepticism regarding the originality of the final product. The backlash has created a challenging start for the film, which is being produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures.
Amidst the controversy, Shah Rukh Khan addressed the nature of his role during a special meet-and-greet held on his 60th birthday. Offering insight into his character, he described the persona as both “ruthless and grey.” Khan reflected on his professional trajectory, noting that he has never adhered to the traditional, binary distinction between heroes and villains. He pointed to his early career performances in films such as 'Darr', 'Don', 'Anjaam', and 'Baazigar' as examples of him playing characters that would be categorized as the “bad guy” or a stalker by contemporary standards.
Despite the online noise regarding the poster, the anticipation for 'King' remains significant given its star-studded ensemble cast. The film features Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, and Anil Kapoor alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The project is positioned as a major release in an increasingly crowded cinematic calendar, where it is slated to arrive in theaters alongside several high-profile international and domestic titles.
Specifically, the film is expected to face competition from major blockbusters such as 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Dune: Part Three'. It will also be released concurrently with 'King100', which marks the 100th film of actor Nagarjuna. As the release date approaches, industry observers are watching to see if the film can transcend the initial negative buzz surrounding its marketing and establish a distinct identity for itself.
The discussion surrounding the poster serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny stars and directors face in the digital age, where fans actively dissect promotional materials for signs of imitation. For now, the makers have not provided an official response to the allegations of plagiarism, focusing instead on the film’s narrative premise and the high-profile cast that headlines the project. The debate continues to unfold online, as fans wait for further teasers to determine whether the film’s substance will live up to the expectations set by its intense, albeit controversial, visual rollout.
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