Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 2 hrs ago
Phars Films buys overseas rights to Shah Rukh Khan’s King for ₹175 crore
Phars Films has acquired overseas distribution rights to King for a reported minimum guarantee of ₹175 crore, the highest such deal for an Indian film.
The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and is directed by Siddharth Anand, who also directed Pathaan.
It was previously expected to be distributed overseas by Yash Raj Films, which handled Pathaan and Jawan internationally.
The deal sets a record, but it also gives Phars a large sum to recover from ticket sales and territory deals.
Estimates differ on the target: one account says King needs roughly ₹350–375 crore in overseas gross, while another puts the recovery goal near $50 million.
That means King may need overseas earnings comparable to Pathaan and Jawan, which each made around ₹400 crore internationally, according to one account.
The film is scheduled to open in theatres on December 24, during the Christmas-New Year period, when it will compete with Hollywood releases.
Phars Films has acquired the overseas distribution rights to Shah Rukh Khan’s King for a reported minimum guarantee of ₹175 crore.
Pinkvilla reported that the deal is an unprecedented overseas minimum guarantee for an Indian film.
The film was originally slated for overseas release through Yash Raj Films.
Reports say Phars is expected to sell some territories to sub-distributors and handle the Middle East directly.
Estimates of the overseas gross King needs to recover the deal vary, with Pinkvilla citing about US$48 million to US$50 million and Hindustan Times citing ₹350 crore to ₹375 crore.
- Who
- Phars Films acquired the overseas distribution rights to King, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
- What
- The reported minimum guarantee for the rights is ₹175 crore.
- When
- The deal was reported on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- The rights cover overseas distribution; Phars is expected to handle the Middle East directly.
- Why
- The articles say Phars made an offer Yash Raj Films could not refuse; the deal also provides production with a route to recover some costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
King was originally slated to be released overseas by Yash Raj Films.
Pinkvilla reported that Phars Films had acquired King’s overseas distribution rights for a ₹175 crore minimum guarantee.
Hindustan Times reported that King was scheduled to arrive in theatres.
- Overseas rights deal
- ₹175 crore minimum guarantee
- Distributor
- Phars Films
- Film
- King, starring Shah Rukh Khan
- Original overseas distributor plan
- Yash Raj Films
- Scheduled release
- December 24, 2026
3 sources
SRK's King breaks overseas rights record at Rs 175 crore
Shah Rukh Khan's King sells overseas rights for ₹175 crore, highest in Indian cinema history; film needs to out-earn Pathaan, Jawan to break even
EXCLUSIVE: Phars Films Boards as Overseas Distributor of Shah Rukh Khan starrer King in a Historic Deal
What people are saying
No Indian film has previously fetched an overseas MG of even Rs. 100 crore, and here King has gone well over that.