Deepika Padukone celebrated her 40th birthday on Monday amid an outpouring of love from fans, colleagues, and industry peers across social media. As wishes poured in, excitement among fans also grew around the possibility of a special reveal tied to the milestone — particularly a first look from one of her upcoming films.
Fueling that anticipation, a post on X (formerly Twitter) began circulating rapidly, claiming that filmmaker Siddharth Anand had unveiled Deepika Padukone’s poster from his upcoming film King. The viral post read, “She doesn’t need a bullet to kill you! Presenting Deepika Padukone in #King – Siddharth Anand via IG (sic).” The image was widely shared, with many fans assuming it to be an official birthday reveal.
Fact Check: The Poster Is Not Official
However, closer scrutiny revealed that the poster is not authentic. Siddharth Anand has not shared any such image on his Instagram or other verified social media platforms. Additionally, the visual used in the viral artwork appears to be lifted from Pathaan (2023), Deepika Padukone’s blockbuster collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan — also directed by Anand.
The reuse of imagery, combined with the absence of any official announcement, strongly suggests that the circulating poster is either fan-made, digitally manipulated, or AI-generated, rather than a legitimate promotional asset for King.
Deepika Padukone’s Upcoming Film ‘King’
Despite the confusion surrounding the viral image, King remains one of Deepika Padukone’s most anticipated projects. The film is already in production and marks another collaboration between Deepika, Shah Rukh Khan, and Siddharth Anand — a team that has delivered some of Hindi cinema’s biggest blockbusters.
Deepika had begun shooting for King last year and shared a reflective note at the time, recalling how Siddharth Anand’s first lesson to her during Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a film — and the people involved — matter more than box-office results. She noted that this philosophy has guided her professional choices over the years, making King their sixth collaboration together.
Jay-Ho Now
While the viral King poster may have sparked momentary excitement, it also underscores the growing challenge of distinguishing official announcements from digitally fabricated content online. For now, fans will have to wait for a confirmed first look from the makers. When it does arrive, it’s likely to come through verified channels — and with the weight of expectation that naturally follows one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stars.
