Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is all set for the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, and he recently shared his personal connection with the character. In a newly released video, SRK talks about Mufasa’s journey, revealing how it resonates with his own story.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh posted the video on X, captioning it: “HEAR THE LEGACY OF ‘MUFASA’ FROM SHAH RUKH KHAN HIMSELF… #ShahRukhKhan narrates the story of #Mufasa, a journey that beautifully mirrors his own rise to superstardom. Watch #ShahRukhKhan bring #Mufasa to life in the #Hindi version of #MufasaTheLionKing… This live-action spectacle, directed by #BarryJenkins, arrives in cinemas this Christmas [20 Dec 2024] in #English, #Hindi, #Tamil, and #Telugu. The Hindi version of #MufasaTheLionKing will also release in IMAX.”
In the video, Shah Rukh Khan reflects on Mufasa’s story, saying, “Yeh kahani hai ek aise raja ki, jise siyasat ki roshni nahin, tanhaiyon ki virasat mili. Lekin uske labon mein basaa tha uska junoon, aur usi junoon se usne zameen se uth kar aasman ko chhoo liya. Zameen par toh kai badshah hukumat karte aaye hain, aur usne raaj kiya sabhi ke dilon ka.” (This is the story of a king who didn’t inherit the light of politics, but the legacy of solitude. Yet, within his words burned a passion that lifted him from the earth to touch the sky. Many kings have ruled the land, but he ruled the hearts of all.)
He then added with a smile, “Kaafi milti julti hai na yeh kahani, par yeh kahani hai Mufasa ki.” (This story sounds very similar, but it’s the story of Mufasa.)
The trailer of Mufasa: The Lion King was also recently released, offering a glimpse into the lush jungle world. Shah Rukh Khan lends his voice to Mufasa, while his son Aryan Khan voices Simba. Even youngest son AbRam joins the project, voicing a young Mufasa. Other voice cast members include Sanjay Mishra as Pumbaa, Shreyas Talpade as Timon, and Meiyang Chang as Taka.
The trailer begins with Timon and Pumbaa sharing a fun moment with other jungle characters, while a young Mufasa is visibly troubled. Mufasa soon meets Taka, whose father warns him to avoid the “awara” (wanderer) Mufasa. Mufasa defends himself, saying, “Mai awara nahi, mai to bas kho gaya hu”, which translates to, “I am not a wanderer; I’m just lost.” As the trailer progresses, the bond between Mufasa and Taka strengthens, leading to a pivotal moment where Mufasa must step into his destiny.
In a statement, Shah Rukh Khan spoke about the personal connection he feels to Mufasa, saying, “Mufasa has an incredible legacy and stands as the ultimate king of the jungle, imparting his wisdom to his son, Simba. I deeply relate to him as a father and also resonate with Mufasa’s journey in the film.” Khan’s powerful voice is set to bring the character’s wisdom and regal authority to life in the Hindi version of the film.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ is slated for release on December 20, 2024, in English, Hindi, and Tamil, and will also be available in IMAX.