Mumbai, 4 November 2025: When Shah Rukh Khan revealed the first look of his upcoming action-thriller King on his 60th birthday, it sent social-media into overdrive-not just for the actor’s salt-and-pepper avatar, but for the striking resemblance of his outfit to that of Brad Pitt in the Hollywood film F1. Director Siddharth Anand has now addressed the online comparisons, offering a light-hearted response to what fans are calling an “inspiration or imitation” debate.
Key points
- Shah Rukh Khan’s first look in King (tan jacket, blue shirt) sparked immediate comparisons with Brad Pitt’s look in F1.
- Netizens shared side-by-side images and raised accusations of copying-while others labelled it mere homage.
- Director Siddharth Anand responded via a viral tweet with laughing and “OK” emojis, signalling a dismissive yet playful take.
- The buzz around the look comes as King marks the next major collaboration between SRK and Siddharth Anand, following the blockbuster success of Pathaan.
- While aesthetics are under scrutiny, the film’s scale, ambition and SRK’s evolving on-screen persona are drawing attention from trade and fans alike.
What happened
On 2 November 2025, coinciding with Shah Rukh Khan’s 60th birthday, the makers of King officially unveiled the title video and first look of the film. The image featured SRK in a tan-coloured jacket over a blue shirt, sporting salt-and-pepper hair, a rugged appearance and tattooed arms-clearly a departure from his more romantic or polished avatars. Social-media immediately lit up with comparisons to Brad Pitt’s attire in the film F1. Screenshots circulated showing a near-identical outfit and pose.
In response, Siddharth Anand posted a comment under a viral tweet-a laughing face followed by an “OK” hand sign – thereby tacitly acknowledging the chatter but refusing to confirm or deny any direct inspiration.
Key facts / data
- The comparison is not just about hairstyle or attitude—it centres strongly on the tan jacket + blue shirt combo.
- Business Standard notes that the avatar “salt-and-pepper hair + tattooed arms” especially triggered the Brad Pitt link.
- King is being positioned as a high-budget, large-scale international action film featuring SRK in a darker, more violent role-he himself described the character as someone who “kills without asking ‘how many were there?’” during a birthday-fan event.
- The movie is produced under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, with Siddharth Anand returning to his forte of high-octane action after their previous hit.
Statements or reactions
- On the comparisons, Siddharth Anand said nothing elaborate-his emoji response speaks volumes about how the team sees the issue: “We’re aware of the chatter; let the film speak.”
- Shah Rukh Khan, when asked about the look, explained that his character in King is “brutal, diverse, interesting” and that he wants to keep surprising audiences rather than doing “the same hero walks in, two songs, two fights, walks out” formula.
- Fans: Some called the similarity “intentional homage,” while others accused the team of lack of originality. The split is visible across X/Twitter threads, Instagram posts and Reddit discussions.
Current status / What’s next
Production of King is well underway but still in the action-shooting phase, including international schedules. While the look reveal generated buzz, no trailer or release date has been confirmed so far (industry chatter points to a 2026 release). Meanwhile, comparisons to the Brad Pitt look may help with visibility-but could also shift focus away from the film’s narrative until more marketing materials surface.
The makers now face two challenges: 1) convert the buzz into sustained interest beyond the “look controversy”, and 2) ensure the film lives up to expectations of SRK in a darker, edgier avatar. How King fares will hinge on its storytelling, action design and whether SRK’s character can redefine his screen image once again.
Context / Background
This is not the first time Bollywood looks have triggered global comparisons-such visual parallels often amplify hype. For SRK, who has previously reinvented himself from romantic hero to action-star (see Pathaan), King marks a next phase where he embraces violence, grey moralities and international scale. The director Siddharth Anand, known for slick action thrillers, is banking on this transformation.
The comparison to Brad Pitt’s F1 look adds a Hollywood angle, which in today’s media climate can accelerate global chatter. It also raises questions about originality in costume and style departments in Bollywood-but from a marketing perspective, any buzz is good buzz.
Given SRK’s stature, every public reveal becomes a larger event, especially when tied to his landmark 60th birthday. With audiences always hungry for something fresh from the Badshah of Bollywood, King’s visual reveal is already doing half the job.
Why this matters
In an era where teaser looks travel faster than trailers, the visual identity of a film can set the tone and expectations. The King look controversy does more than generate memes-it signals SRK’s strategic shift, it places the film in the global visual conversation, and it tests how audiences respond to a star known for charm now embracing a more violent, stylised persona.
For trade analysts and marketers, whether the film can convert the look-buzz into box-office traction will be a case study. For fans, the debate offers a taste of the film’s aesthetic even before plot details emerge. And for fashion-watchers, the wardrobe overlap with a Hollywood title raises questions about inspiration, originality and cross-industry influence.
