Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film, “King,” has ignited a fresh wave of fan rivalry following the release of its first look. The teaser’s impressive performance has sparked renewed comparisons and online debate with fans of South Indian superstar Prabhas.
The “King” teaser, released on November 2, quickly amassed over 28 million views within its first 24 hours. It also garnered more than 500,000 likes in the same period. This strong showing demonstrates Shah Rukh Khan’s continued box office appeal.
The teaser’s success positioned “King” as the ninth most-viewed Indian film teaser within 24 hours. Notably, the top 10 list includes four films starring Prabhas: “Salaar,” “Radhe Shyam,” “The Raja Saab,” and “Adipurush.” This context has fueled the ongoing competition between the two fan bases.
Social media platforms are now seeing a resurgence of heated exchanges. Shah Rukh Khan’s supporters are actively comparing “King”‘s performance to Prabhas’s upcoming film, “Spirit.” One user on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted “King”‘s 28 million views in 24 hours against “Spirit”‘s 9.3 million views over 10 days.
#King – 24 hours 28 millions view 450k Likes#Spirit – 10 days 9.3 millions views with 212k Likes
Bettal gadmara 3 moths 3.5 millions views with 100k Likes.#ShahRukhKhan #King HYPE IS REAL 🔥
— YASH (@V_Floor001) November 3, 2025
The origins of this particular dispute trace back to the poster launch of “Spirit.” During the event, makers referred to Prabhas as “India’s biggest superstar.” This claim was immediately contested by Shah Rukh Khan’s fan base. They countered with data showcasing their idol’s widespread popularity and box office dominance.
This recurring clash is part of a broader trend of fan rivalries between Bollywood and South Indian film industries. Such debates often emerge whenever a major film from either star is released. Shah Rukh Khan’s fans assert his unmatched stardom, while Prabhas’s supporters highlight his success with blockbusters like “Baahubali.”
“King” is written by Siddharth Anand and Sujoy Ghosh. It is being produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. The film is set to feature Deepika Padukone and Suhana Khan, with a projected release in 2026.
Prabhas’s “Spirit” is helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Vanga is known for his work on hit films such as “Kabir Singh” and “Animal.” The future face-off between these two highly anticipated projects will undoubtedly draw significant audience attention.