The newly released poster of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action thriller King has become a topic of debate on social media. Although the first look generated excitement among fans, several users soon criticised the artwork, alleging excessive Photoshop work and the use of AI-generated elements. The poster also drew comparisons with the visual style of Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar, adding to the online discussion.
‘King’ New Poster Released on October 27
On October 27, 2026, the makers of King unveiled a new promotional poster across social media platforms, offering a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan’s character in the film. The actor shared the artwork with a caption recalling a memorable line from his 1999 film Badshaah: “Aaj phir yaad aaya… Qaatil nahi… Aashiq hoon…”
The poster presents Khan in an intense action setting, walking through a fiery background with a weapon in his hand and a red rose between his teeth. The release also reiterated the film’s scheduled theatrical debut on December 24, 2026.
The striking visual was welcomed by fans eager to see the actor return in an action-packed role. However, the artwork soon attracted criticism, with social media users questioning the quality of its editing and overall presentation.
Social Media Users Criticise ‘King’ Poster
Soon after the poster was released, reactions began appearing on platforms such as X, and Reddit. Several users pointed to what they considered excessive digital editing, overly smooth textures and unnatural lighting. Some also questioned the treatment of Khan’s face and the surrounding background, with a few describing the artwork as “cheap AI-generated slop.”
The debate also included comparisons with the promotional artwork of Dhurandhar. One user on X wrote, “You can try to copy the aesthetic, the fire, and the frame, but you can never be Dhurandhar.” Another commented, “Every masterpiece has its cheap copy,” suggesting that the two posters shared a similar visual approach.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. Defending the King poster, one user argued, “Not every similar-looking poster is a copy… comparing two posters and yelling ‘copy’ isn’t the flex you think it is.”
Comparisons With ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Raging Fire’
Beyond the allegations of heavy editing, online discussions focused on similarities between the King poster and the key artwork associated with Dhurandhar. Users highlighted elements such as the fiery colour palette, dramatic framing and debris-filled backgrounds, arguing that the promotional images shared certain visual characteristics.
Some commentators also compared the poster to Raging Fire, the 2021 action film starring Donnie Yen. These comparisons fuelled further debate over the artwork’s originality, although the reactions largely reflected individual opinions expressed online.
Neither the poster’s criticism nor the comparisons have prompted a public response from Shah Rukh Khan or the film’s production team so far.
Cast, Director and Release Date of ‘King’
Directed by Siddharth Anand, King is among the highly anticipated Indian film releases scheduled for 2026. The action thriller features an ensemble cast that includes Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Suhana Khan in prominent roles.
Despite the controversy surrounding its latest promotional image, interest in the film remains high. The makers at Red Chillies Entertainment have not issued an official statement addressing the social media reactions.
With its theatrical release scheduled for December 24, 2026, King is continuing its promotional campaign ahead of its planned worldwide release. The latest poster has generated considerable online discussion, bringing both the film’s action-focused visual style and the debate over its digital presentation into the spotlight.