s upcoming film has seemingly set a new record for Indian cinema even before its release. If true, the film’s overseas theatrical rights have been acquired for ₹175 crore. According to a report by Pinkvilla, Phars Films has paid a minimum guarantee (MG) of ₹175 crore for the film’s overseas distribution rights. The deal, if confirmed, would mark the first time for an Indian film’s overseas rights to have crossed the ₹100 crore mark.
Until now, Shah Rukh’s overseas distribution rights have largely been handled by . YRF has distributed Khan’s last films, including Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki, in 2023.
Interestingly, Phars Films has partnered with YRF on several films. It has also independently handled the overseas distribution of Prabhas-starrer Saaho.
The ₹175 crore minimum guarantee amount hints at the distributor’s confidence in King’s overseas theatrical possibilities. It also sets a high bar for the film’s box-office performance. Overseas distributors typically receive around 50% of a film’s gross box-office collections, reported the publication. Based on this share, King is predicted to need around $37–40 million, or around ₹350–375 crore, in overseas gross collections to break even on the rights deal, shared Hindustan Times.
This estimate is based on the reported deal amount and the typical overseas distributor share, and does not account for any additional costs. Live Mint couldn’t independently verify the data.
As per the news portal’s estimates, King would need to generate overseas collections close to some of the biggest Indian hits to turn a success. Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Jawan respectively earned around ₹400 crore overseas. King would need to hit at least that threshold or even exceed it to deliver a strong return, added the report.
Its overseas collections would also need to be in line with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 ( ₹460 crore international collection), or RRR ( ₹430 crore overseas collection).
King is directed by Siddharth Anand. Besides Shah Rukh Khan, the film also stars Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Jaideep Ahalawat.
It is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment in association with Marflix Pictures.
King will release globally on December 24.
The film is reported to be mounted on a budget of about ₹350 crore to ₹400 crore, one of the expensive Indian films of recent times.
