SRK announces next film 'King' as a pan-world project, credits Indian fans for his global success
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has revealed that his next film, King, is designed as a "pan-world" project, highlighting the expanding reach of Indian cinema on the global stage. The announcement came during a fan event in the city on his birthday days agi, where Khan expressed deep appreciation for his Indian fans, crediting them for his international success.
At the event, Khan responded to a question from an American fan, who praised him as a “pan-world superstar,” following the success of his recent films, Pathaan and Jawan. Khan shared his pride into representing India globally, saying, "I’m taking India to places I once thought were impossible." He highlighted how Indian audiences have supported him throughout his career, allowing him to make a mark worldwide. “The subcontinent has taken me to places I thought were impossible for me,” he added.
Khan also discussed his commitment to creating original, high-quality stories that resonate globally. "Language is no longer a barrier," he remarked, emphasising that Indian cinema is gaining international appeal as it reaches wider audiences. "We need to write stories that touch hearts while maintaining quality," he noted, adding that he hopes to play a role in furthering this trend.
The choice to title King in English was intentional, aimed at connecting with global viewers. “I now title my films in English so that people in America know what it means,” he said with a smile, concluding, "Take a message back home from India: 'The King is coming'."
Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, King is set to release in mid-2026, featuring Khan alongside his daughter Suhana Khan and actor Abhishek Bachchan.
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Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.
The 94-year-old former minister, who passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday, was cremated at the Kalleshwara Mill premises, following Veerashaiva-Lingayat traditions.
Earlier in the day, Shivashankarappa's mortal remains were brought to his native Davanagere, where they were kept at the high school grounds for the public, his followers, and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
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Expressing deep sorrow over his demise, the Karnataka government ordered that his last rites be performed with full state honours.
Both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council also mourned his passing, adjourning their sessions for the day after paying tributes.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, opposition leaders, legislators, and political figures paid their respects.
A number of seers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also attended the last rites.
Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time before succumbing to age-related ailments.
The senior-most legislator in Karnataka, Shivashankarappa, was also one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the country, sources said.
He is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, the Karnataka Minister for Mines, Geology, and Horticulture, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.
A six-time MLA, Shivashankarappa also served as a minister and an MP.
He was a prominent educationist, establishing several educational institutions, and was an industrialist.
Additionally, he served as the treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
