What is the story about?
WhenShah Rukh Khan returns, it captures global attention. Currently, SRK’s forthcoming movie King has been gaining momentum since its release date of December
24 was revealed. A short teaser featuring SRK with gray-streaked hair, set against a snowy landscape, quickly ignited conversations on social media. Shortly thereafter, rumors began circulating that King might draw inspiration from Luc Besson’s 1994 cult favorite Leon: The Professional. There are speculations that Shah Rukh Khan plays a mentor-like figure alongside Suhana Khan’s character.
Overview of Leon: The Professional?
Released in 1994, Leon: The Professional is a French action thriller in English, crafted by Luc Besson. The film features Jean Reno as Léon, a reclusive Italian-American assassin in New York, and marks Natalie Portman’s debut as Mathilda Lando, a troubled 12-year-old girl. Gary Oldman gives a standout performance as the deranged and corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield.
The narrative kicks off when Mathilda’s family is brutally slain by Stansfield after her father, who was hiding drugs for corrupt officials, pilfers from their stash. Mathilda narrowly escapes and finds sanctuary in Léon’s home. Initially hesitant, Léon eventually takes her in, leading to an unusual relationship. This connection is central to the film's emotional depth.
Mentor-mentee dynamic
The film was praised for its depiction of the bond between Léon and Mathilda. Upon learning about Léon’s line of work, Mathilda insists on being trained as an assassin to avenge her younger brother’s death. Léon is reluctant at first but ultimately teaches her the fundamentals of his profession, while Mathilda assists him with daily chores and even helps him learn to read. Their relationship is marked by innocence, sorrow, and mutual reliance, although Léon does not return Mathilda’s romantic feelings.
If King indeed takes cues from this relationship, Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal as a mentor or guardian to Suhana Khan’s character could serve as the film's emotional foundation. Reports suggest that Abhishek Bachchan will portray the menacing antagonist. The trio has the potential to create cinematic magic, drawing from source material as emotionally rich as Leon: The Professional.
Climax and conclusion explained
The film builds to a gripping confrontation between Léon and Stansfield. Following Mathilda’s unsuccessful attempt to eliminate Stansfield, Léon comes to her rescue, igniting a violent pursuit. In the climactic moments, Léon sacrifices himself to guarantee Mathilda’s escape. Severely injured, he faces Stansfield and hands him a grenade pin, revealing the explosives attached to his vest. The resulting explosion claims both their lives, ending the cycle of violence but leaving Mathilda heartbroken. In the final scenes, Mathilda returns to school and plants Léon’s houseplant in the ground. The conclusion suggests that everyone deserves a fresh start while cherishing past memories. Mathilda may thrive at school, but she has not forgotten her connection with Léon, leaving the audience with a bittersweet sentiment.
Will King take a similar route?
While the creators of King have neither confirmed nor denied these speculations, the buzz continues unabated. Although King is unlikely to be a straightforward remake, the themes of mentorship, redemption, and emotional growth could be woven into a compelling narrative. Whether director Siddharth Anand will reinterpret these themes on a grand scale, appealing to Indian audiences, remains to be seen. The initial visuals and announcement video showcase spectacular imagery, quite distinct from Leon: The Professional.
King features a star-studded cast, including Deepika Padukone, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, and Abhay Verma, with Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, and Jackie Shroff in supporting roles. The potential similarities with Leon have only intensified interest in the film’s storyline and emotional essence.
