Hrithik Roshan's Krrish 4 has just beenannounced — and it's already set up a box officeclash with Shah Rukh Khan's film with Aanand L Rai

The Krrish franchise has been a huge money-spinner for FilmKraft, the family banner of the Roshans. And with the last film in the series, Krrish 3 (2013), also proving to be a blockbuster, it was only a matter of time before a fourth installment would be announced.

On Wednesday, Hrithik Roshan tweeted:

Ganpati blessings for KRRISH4 :)) hope everyone is enjoying the festivities. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/g2g8K489AO — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) September 14, 2016

Later, Rakesh Roshan also issued a formal confirmation through his spokespersons, stating that an image his wife showed him, of a Ganesh idol dressed as the superhero Krrish, felt like a "go ahead" from the elephant god himself.

"It reaffirmed my belief that Krrish is the original superhero we have. It boosted my confidence and inspired me to make the fourth installment," Roshan said, in the statement released by his public relations team.

While the announcement comes as sweet confirmation to fans, there is one sticking point — Krrish 4's proposed release date.

The Roshans apparently want to make it a Christmas 2018 offering — a date that Shah Rukh Khan and Anand L. Rai have already announced as the release date of their film (in which SRK plays a dwarf).

Excited to announce our film with @aanandlrai & @iamsrk in association with @cypplOfficial.Releasing Dec 21, 2018.Title to be revealed soon! — Red Chillies Ent. (@RedChilliesEnt) August 30, 2016

If the clash goes ahead, this will be the second box office face-off between Hrithik and Shah Rukh, after Republic Day 2017's Kaabil vs Raees showdown.

Will either of the movies step down from this second showdown? Watch this space for updates.