The film is set to release in December 2024 and would be the prequel to the iconic Disney movie Lion King which explores the backstory of Mufasa. Shah Rukh’s involvement is made all the more poignant by being accompanied by his sons Aryan and AbRam Khan, who voice Simba and young Mufasa, respectively. The cooperation of the trio is, indeed, for the first time, marking the collaboration into a family affair. Shah Rukh commented on the project, comparing it to the shades of succession and family engagement that haunt him as a father and mentor.
In an interview, Shah Rukh expounded how Mufasa’s endurance against adversity, and the journey toward being a beloved ruler from the beginning of a disadvantaged background, symbolized his rise from humbleness to global stardom. He reiterates Mufasa’s importance within the context of integrity, responsibility, and teaching the next generation values he is trying to instill in his children. The actor has often reminisced about teaching humility and kindness to Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam: lessons very much echoed in Mufasa’s farewell advice to Simba.
The Hindi adaptation of Mufasa: The Lion King-Hindi is under a wider move to correlate its global stories with local audiences. With a rich and evocative voice, insight into Mufasa’s character, a more mature performance by Aryan Khan as young Simba, and a lot of liveliness and mischievousness by AbRam as young Mufasa brings a lot of legitimacy to the story. Fans are optimistic about this intergenerational project as it parallels the film’s themes of legacy and the cyclical nature of life. The Hindi trailer of the film has managed to connect with the audience emotionally as it shows Shah Rukh projecting all the necessary traits that Mufasa possesses.
