Shah Rukh Khan flown to US after on-set injury
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan sustained a minor back injury while filming an intense action sequence for his upcoming action-thriller King at Golden Tobacco Studio in Mumbai, prompting a pause in production.
The incident, which occurred in mid-July 2025, led the actor to seek medical treatment in the United States before relocating to the United Kingdom for recovery, accompanied by his family. Filming is now set to resume in September or October, delaying planned shoots in Mumbai and a location scout in Sri Lanka.
According to sources cited by India Today and Bollywood Hungama, the injury is a muscular strain, not considered serious, but requires a month-long rest as advised by doctors. “Shah Rukh has sustained multiple muscle injuries over the years while performing stunts,” a source told Bollywood Hungama, noting that the actor’s history of physical strain influenced the decision to prioritize recovery. The production team, led by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, has canceled bookings at Film City, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios until Khan is fully recovered.
This marks the second time Shah Rukh has faced a back injury. In 2002, during the filming of Boney Kapoor’s Shakti: The Power, he was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc and underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery in the UK, with a disc inserted in his spine. Despite the injury, he went on to shoot Swades soon after. His co-star from Shakti, Daya Shankar Pandey, recalled to Friday Talkies that Shah Rukh worked through severe back pain with a physiotherapist on set.
Khan’s injury history also includes fractured ribs and a knee injury during Darr (1993), a worsened knee injury during Koyla (1997) and Ra.One (2011), and shoulder injuries during Dulha Mil Gaya (2007) and My Name Is Khan (2008). In 2013, he underwent shoulder surgery in London.
Directed by Siddharth Anand, known for blockbusters like Pathaan and War, King is one of 2026’s most anticipated films, featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Shah Rukh Khan as a brooding assassin, his daughter Suhana Khan in her theatrical debut as his protégé, Deepika Padukone in a full-length role, Rani Mukerji as Suhana’s mother, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaideep Ahlawat as antagonists, and Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Saurabh Shukla, and Abhay Verma in key roles. The film, inspired by the style of Bichhoo (2000) and Léon: The Professional, centers on a father-daughter duo seeking revenge after a personal tragedy, blending high-octane action with emotional depth.
The production, which began in March 2025, has already filmed intense sequences, including a jail scene with over 200 stunt performers and international action choreographers. The film is targeting a Gandhi Jayanti release on October 2, 2026, though the injury may impact the timeline.