Blockbuster Deal: Pen Marudhar Bags All-India Rights for Shah Rukh Khan’s King in ₹250 Crore Agreement
In what is being described as one of the most monumental theatrical deals in Indian cinema history, Pen Marudhar has officially acquired the all-India distribution rights for the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that the deal was closed for a staggering ₹250 crore, reflecting the massive anticipation surrounding the project.
A High-Stakes Production
Directed by Siddharth Anand and boasting a colossal budget of ₹400 crore, King is a high-octane action entertainer. The film features a powerhouse ensemble cast, including the leads Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan. While the Ensemble include Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Abhay Verma, and Arshad Warsi.
A Trusted Partnership
The selection of Pen Marudhar as the distribution partner comes as no surprise to industry insiders. The distributor has maintained a long-standing and successful association with Shah Rukh Khan’s banner, having previously handled the theatrical rollouts for hits like Jawan, Dunki, Zero, and Badla.
“Shah Rukh Khan was looking for a strong partner to navigate the competitive December window,” a trade source shared. “Pen Marudhar’s expertise will be crucial for a wide, aggressive release across the country.”
Navigating the Christmas 2026 “Clash of Titans”
The deal’s scale is particularly impressive given the crowded Christmas 2026 release window. King is slated to go head-to-head with some of Hollywood’s biggest global franchises:
- Avengers: Doomsday
- Dune 3
- Jumanji
The aggressive bidding war for the domestic rights involved top-tier players such as A.A. Films, Jio Studios, PVR INOX Pictures, Yash Raj Films, and Dharma Productions, but Pen Marudhar ultimately secured the prize.
Sustaining the SRK Momentum
The ₹250 crore valuation underscores the industry’s unwavering confidence in Shah Rukh Khan’s box office pull following his record-breaking run in 2023. As the most anticipated Indian release of 2026, King is poised to be a definitive theatrical event, with the distribution deal setting the stage for a potentially historic domestic opening.
