Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film 'King' has a new musical team. Composer Anirudh has exited the project due to scheduling conflicts, the makers said, with the decision reported as mutually amicable. The South Indian musician's commitments in regional cinema and his upcoming marriage to Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran in November made it difficult to devote the time the film demanded.
Sachin-Jigar have taken over music duties, including songs and the background score. Anirudh, however, has composed a theme track for the film that will continue to feature in the project as a mark of respect for Shah Rukh Khan.
The change comes as the film just began unveiling its music. Shah Rukh marked his birthday on November 2 with the midnight release of 'Tu Mil Jaaye', the film's first song, featuring him alongside Deepika Padukone. The romantic track features vocals by Arijit Singh and Madhubanti Bagchi, with Ed Sheeran performing an English rap.
Reactions to the song have been mixed. While some have appreciated Arijit Singh's vocals and the chemistry between the lead actors, others have questioned its familiar sound, visuals and styling. Some listeners have drawn comparisons to songs from director Siddharth Anand's earlier film, Pathaan.
Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, 'King' also stars Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Raghav Juyal. The film is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on December 24. It reunites Shah Rukh with Siddharth Anand after their collaboration on Pathaan.
