Salman Khan, often associated with blockbuster Eid releases, is stepping aside for Eid 2026, leaving the stage for two of Bollywood’s biggest stars—Shahrukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. While fans are accustomed to seeing Salman ruling the box office on this festive occasion, Eid 2026 will witness a major shift as Shahrukh’s King and Ranbir’s Love and War take the spotlight.
Salman Khan’s Break from Eid Releases
For years, Salman Khan’s name has been synonymous with Eid releases. Films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan, and Kick made him the undisputed king of this holiday slot. However, in 2026, the trend will break as Salman has no film slated for release during this period. After his 2025 Eid release Sikander, Salman will focus on his next mega-budget film with director Atlee. This new project is expected to require extensive shooting and post-production, pushing its release to the second half of 2026.
Shahrukh Khan’s King: A Royal Return to Eid
After a long hiatus from Eid releases, Shahrukh Khan is all set to return with King in 2026. The film, directed by Sujoy Ghosh and produced by Siddharth Anand, will feature a special father-daughter duo—Shahrukh and his daughter Suhana Khan—sharing the screen for the first time. Fans are already buzzing with excitement about this unique pairing, and the Eid release slot has only heightened expectations.
This will mark Shahrukh’s comeback on Eid after Chennai Express in 2013, a film that shattered box office records. Given the star power and family dynamic in King, it is expected to capture audiences’ hearts, with high hopes for another Eid blockbuster.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Love and War: A Sanjay Leela Bhansali Masterpiece
On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor is gearing up for a big release with Love and War, directed by the critically acclaimed Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Originally planned for a Christmas 2025 release, the makers have shifted the date to Eid 2026 to take advantage of the empty slot left by Salman’s absence. This move sets the stage for an epic clash between two of Bollywood’s biggest stars—Ranbir and Shahrukh.
Love and War promises to be a grand cinematic experience with an impressive cast featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. Known for his larger-than-life storytelling, Bhansali is expected to deliver a film rich in drama, romance, and historical elements.
The Anticipated Box Office Clash
Eid 2026 is shaping up to be a massive box-office event, as two major films—King and Love and War—are slated to release within days of each other. While Shahrukh Khan’s King is expected to cater to a wide audience with its emotional father-daughter narrative, Ranbir Kapoor’s Love and War promises to be an intense love story set against a historical backdrop.
The clash is significant, as both films come from highly respected filmmakers and feature A-list actors. Shahrukh Khan’s reunion with his daughter Suhana on screen is already creating buzz, while the chemistry between Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky in Love and War has also generated excitement.
What Led to Salman’s Absence?
Sources close to Salman Khan revealed that the actor’s upcoming film with Atlee, a mega-budget project, is the reason for his absence from Eid 2026. After completing Sikander in 2024, Salman is set to focus entirely on this new venture. The film will involve extensive shooting and post-production work, especially with its heavy reliance on VFX, which will stretch into late 2025. As a result, there won’t be enough time to prepare the film for an Eid 2026 release.
Despite stepping away from his usual Eid spot, Salman is still expected to dominate the latter half of 2026 with his Atlee-directed film, which promises to be a massive entertainer.
A New Era for Eid Releases
With Salman stepping aside, Eid 2026 will offer Bollywood fans a unique treat—an intense box-office battle between Shahrukh Khan’s King and Ranbir Kapoor’s Love and War. Both films are backed by talented directors, iconic actors, and compelling stories, making this one of the most anticipated Eids in recent years.
As audiences wait in anticipation, it remains to be seen which star will claim the Eid crown in 2026—Shahrukh Khan with his royal return to the festive season, or Ranbir Kapoor with his Bhansali-backed epic. Regardless, Bollywood fans are in for a memorable festival weekend.
