Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan returns to Dubai after wrapping up 'Pathaan' in Spain

Fans have shared pictures of the actor transiting through Dubai Airport on his way to Mumbai

Shah Rukh Khan does his signature pose at the Dubai Fountain as part of his #BeMyGuest video. Photo: Dubai Tourism

As the brand ambassador for Dubai and a UAE golden visa recipient, it's not unusual for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to pop in and out of the city for film shoots or promotional events.

On Wednesday, the beloved actor was reportedly back in town, after wrapping up the shoot for his coming film Pathaan in Spain. Fans of Khan posted pictures of the actor walking through the Dubai International Airport, surrounded by security.

Pathaan, set to be released in 2023, is one of the most anticipated Bollywood films, not least because it will mark the return of Khan, India's biggest star, to the big screen in nearly four years. The patriotic film also stars top actress Deepika Padukone as well as John Abraham, who is set to play the antagonist.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, known for his high-octane money-spinners Bang Bang (2014) and War (2019), the action thriller follows a character named Pathaan, played by Khan, who will go to any lengths to save India. The character is believed to be an agent working with India's intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing, while Padukone plays his colleague.

Fans in the UAE also have a special reason to be excited, as scenes for the film were shot in Downtown Dubai last year. Khan was spotted shooting a fight scene on top of a moving lorry, as well as a 4x4 car in January.

Khan, who shared the film's release date earlier this month along with a teaser, has also transformed physically for the film. He was spotted on Wednesday in Dubai sporting the same long hair seen in blurry shots of his character in the teaser.

But it appears Khan's Dubai visit this time was a quick pit stop, as photos posted by fans and the paparazzi on Thursday morning showed him arriving at the Mumbai airport.

Khan was spotted in a white T-shirt wearing a mask and dark sunglasses, accessorising his look with a Louis Vuitton backpack and a cap.

Speaking to Indian news agency ANI, director Anand said filming in Spain was "magnificent".

"The Spain schedule of Pathaan has turned out beyond what we had envisaged and we are absolutely thrilled about it. This is a film that commands massive scale and I’m very happy with what we achieved. This is going to be a visual treat for the audience," he said. "The fact that we could finally pull off such a magnificent Spain schedule without any hassle whatsoever is a huge feat for the entire production."

Earlier in March, Khan starred in another Dubai Tourism video that showed him dancing at Dubai Creek, visiting the recently opened Museum of the Future and shopping at one of the biggest malls in the world.

The video, called Dubai Presents: Shah Rukh Khan, is the fourth collaboration between the Bollywood star and Dubai Tourism.

Often referred to as the "King of Bollywood", Khan was the first Indian celebrity to be given the coveted UAE golden visa. He is not only a frequent visitor to the UAE, but also has a villa on Palm Jumeirah and was named brand ambassador for Dubai in 2016.

Scroll through the gallery for celebrities who received the UAE's golden visa, from Shah Rukh Khan to Giorgio Armani: