Hyderabad: Veteran actor Nagarjuna Akkineni marked his birthday on August 29 with the unveiling of the first glimpse of his landmark 100th film, King100, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 24, 2026. The announcement has set up a major Christmas box-office clash, as Shah Rukh Khan’s highly anticipated Hindi action thriller King is also slated to hit cinemas on the same day.
Written and directed by R A Karthik, King100 has remained largely under wraps during its year-long production. The first glimpse was released by Annapurna Studios on Nagarjuna’s birthday, offering audiences a first look at the actor’s character and the stylised world of the film.
The project holds special significance in Nagarjuna’s career as it marks his 100th film, making the release announcement an important milestone for the actor and his fans.
First glimpse introduces Nagarjuna’s character
The newly released glimpse presents Nagarjuna in a distinctive and stylish avatar. The video centres on themes of money, success, identity and power, with the protagonist reflecting on how his position in society changed after he became wealthy.
The character says that the world is divided between those who have money and those who do not. He reflects on being labelled a loser when he had no money and being called a king after achieving wealth, before suggesting that his identity is more powerful than money itself.
The dialogue establishes the central theme of the film, with the character appearing determined to protect and uphold the identity he has built for himself.
The glimpse concludes with the title reveal of King100 and the message “Long Live The King”, while also confirming the film’s December 24, 2026, theatrical release date.
Nagarjuna is seen in a gold-toned look in the visuals, adding to the grandeur and larger-than-life presentation of the character. The music for the film has been composed by Devi Sri Prasad.
Major Christmas box-office clash confirmed
The announcement of King100’s release date has drawn particular attention because it will face direct competition from Shah Rukh Khan’s King, one of the most anticipated Hindi films of 2026.
Directed by Siddharth Anand, King is an action thriller starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The film is also significant as it is expected to feature Shah Rukh Khan alongside his daughter Suhana Khan, marking their first onscreen appearance together.
Suhana made her acting debut in Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies, which was released on Netflix. King is expected to mark an important theatrical milestone in her career.
With both King100 and King now scheduled for release on December 24, the two films are set for a high-profile battle at the box office during the Christmas holiday period.
The clash will bring together two major stars from different film industries, with Nagarjuna’s milestone project competing against a Shah Rukh Khan-led action entertainer.
King100 backed by Annapurna Studios
King100 is produced by Annapurna Studios, the production banner closely associated with Nagarjuna’s family. While the first glimpse has introduced the lead character and established the film’s tone, further details about the complete cast and storyline are awaited.
The technical team includes cinematographer Raja Mahadhevan, production designer Sathees Kumar N and editor Navin Nooli.
Costume design for the film has been handled by Poorva, Rajini, Tanya and Bhramma. The action choreography team includes Venkat, Prithivi, Nabakanth, Real Sathish and Dinesh Kasi, while Tuney John has worked on the publicity design.
The film’s visual presentation, action-oriented treatment and the involvement of a prominent technical team indicate that King100 is being mounted as a major theatrical release.
Landmark film for Nagarjuna
The project represents a major career milestone for Nagarjuna, who has had a long and successful journey in Indian cinema. The release of the first glimpse on his birthday has added to the significance of the announcement.
The title King100 appears to acknowledge the landmark nature of the project while also drawing from the screen image associated with Nagarjuna over the years.
Although the film’s plot has not yet been fully revealed, the first glimpse suggests a story centred on ambition, status, identity and the struggle to preserve one’s position and reputation.
With the release date now officially locked, attention will turn towards further announcements regarding the film’s cast, promotional campaign and trailer.
The December 24 release has also ensured that King100 will be closely watched alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s King. As both films prepare for a festive-season release, the Christmas box office of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most closely followed clashes of the year.