Before King moved its overseas distribution to Phars Films, the deal got a phone call that mattered as much as the paperwork. Yash Raj Films was originally expected to distribute the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer internationally. When the plan changed, SRK personally called YRF head Aditya Chopra to explain why.
A relationship call, not a legal notice
A source in SRK’s team told Bollywood Hungama that the actor’s connection with YRF runs deep — from Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), which still runs at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, to several other YRF films and a bond with the late Yash Chopra. That history is why SRK made the call himself rather than leaving it to managers.
The exchange stayed warm. “Both had a lovely conversation,” the source said. Aditya Chopra understood SRK’s reasons, agreed to part with the overseas rights, wished him luck and said he was looking forward to seeing the film this Christmas.
One film, many partners
The shift is not a standalone deal. King is being assembled as a series of separate rights sales, which is now common for large Indian films.
- Overseas distribution: Phars Films holds the international distribution rights, with YRF stepping aside cleanly.
- Commercial music: T-Series has exclusive global commercial rights for 50 years, in a deal facilitated by Red Chillies Entertainment through Zee Music Company.
- Background score: Anirudh Ravichander exited amicably due to his packed schedule but left a theme track; Sachin-Jigar will reimagine it as the basis of the film’s score.
- On screen: Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Anil Kapoor feature alongside SRK.
What the structure tells media buyers
For entertainment marketers and platform teams, King shows how tightly rights are being sliced: territory for distribution, a separate long-window music deal, and creative continuity for the score. A 50-year music term gives one buyer a very long commercial horizon, which can simplify licensing decisions but also locks away flexibility.
The personal call is the other lesson. When a high-value property changes hands, the outgoing partner’s goodwill can be an asset or a problem. SRK treated the YRF relationship as part of the negotiation, not a casualty of it.
What comes next
The marketing machine opens soon: a promotional asset is expected on November 2, tied to Shah Rukh Khan’s 61st birthday. After that, the Christmas viewing window becomes the real test of whether the rights stack and the film’s positioning pay off.
Source: bollywoodHungama.com
