Amit Karn. Mumbai17 minutes ago
The final tone and pace of ‘King’ will largely be decided on the editing table.
The shooting for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King has been completed, but the film’s final cut is yet to be locked. According to sources associated with the project, editing is still underway, along with work on the music, background score, sound design and VFX.
For a large-scale action film, several key decisions are taken during the editing process even after the shoot wraps. This includes deciding the length of individual scenes, placing cuts and maintaining the right pace during action sequences. Work is currently underway to finalise the length of some of the major sequences in King.
Music is yet to be finalised, new songs still to be shot
The film’s music is also still being worked on. Sources say different tunes and tracks are being developed, while not all the songs have been finalised yet. So far, only the theme tune released with the film’s announcement has been heard publicly.
The shooting of the new songs is yet to begin. While this may appear to be a delay, such decisions are not unusual in big-budget films and can also be driven by creative requirements.
Songs are planned after the story takes shape
In Bollywood, large-scale songs are often shot after the main portions of a film have been completed. By then, the editing process gives the team a clearer idea of the film’s pace, mood and overall flow.
This also helps the makers decide where a song fits best in the story and how it should be presented. If a particular sequence needs greater emotional impact, the music and visuals can then be designed accordingly.
VFX work is still in progress
For an action film like King, which has been shot on international locations, VFX work is an important part of post-production. During the shoot, the team decides which elements will be captured practically and which will later be created or enhanced digitally.
This can include extending sets, replacing backgrounds, improving environments, adding crowds, digitally modifying vehicles and making other visual changes required for the final presentation.
Editing and sound will shape the final action experience
The film’s final pace and tone will largely take shape during editing. The placement of Shah Rukh Khan’s action sequences, key narrative moments involving Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone’s flashback portions will influence the suspense, emotional impact and overall flow.
This is also why an actor’s screen time cannot be accurately judged only from the footage already shot. The final cut will determine how much of each sequence makes it into the finished film.
