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TBT When Mukesh Khanna Said No One Apart From Him Could Play Shaktimaan
Updated on: 18 June, 2025 06:06 PM IST |Shweta Shah
TBT When Mukesh Khanna Said No One Apart From Him Could Play Shaktimaan
Television actor Mukesh Khanna celebrates his birthday on June 19. On this occasion, let`s revisit the time he expressed his objection about the possible casting of Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan in an upcoming film based on the 1990s superhero.
Known for playing Shaktimaan in the Doordarshan show, Mukesh Khanna took the 1990s by storm and became every millennial`s favourite superhero. Now, it has been speculated that the television superhero will have a standalone movie starring Ranveer Singh in the titular role.
Mukesh shared that this isn`t the first time rumours and reports of actors being considered to play the iconic superhero on the big screen have surfaced on the internet.
His recent YouTube video became an instant controversy and stirred up rumours of Shah Rukh Khan being considered to play Shaktimaan before Ranveer.
“Neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, or Tiger Shroff can become Shaktimaan. Because of the face that’s needed for Shaktimaan, none of them have it. Because they have a certain image,” he said.
Also Read: Mukesh Khanna Objects Ranveer Singh Playing Shaktimaan, Suggests Him To Open Nudist Camps
Mukesh Khanna further added that any actor, preferably a new face, who doesn`t have a set image would be the perfect fit to play Shaktimaan. “We need a Shaktimaan who can teach the kids. I feel there should be a new guy, if you ask me,” he added.
The actor further revealed that after the original run of Shaktimaan, he was in talks with Star India for another show. However, things did not materialise. “I said this is Star India’s loss, not my loss,” he said.
In an update about the upcoming superhero movie, Mukesh said they are yet to work out a story for the film. He also added that Shaktimaan is not just another TV serial; it is a "mythology."
“If we make a movie, we still don’t know what the story will be. There are so many people – the Sony people - that the conversation about the rights is still going on. Shaktimaan is not just a serial or even Avengers; Shaktimaan is out of mythology."
“Since a few months, social media has been flooded with the news of Ranveer playing Shaktimaan. Everyone was upset about it, but I kept quiet; however, when channels also announced that Ranveer was signed for the film, I had to open my mouth," Khanna mentioned.
He further added, "I have said that an actor who carries such an image, no matter how big he is, cannot play Shaktimaan. I have put my foot down; now see what happens further.”
The video went viral in no time. However, a few hours later, Mukesh Khanna took down the video after it stirred up a controversy on the internet. The film is based on India`s first superhero, Shaktimaan, was announced in 2022, with Sony Pictures India joining in as producers. The film was supposed to go on floors this May, but there hasn`t been news since.
Known for playing Shaktimaan in the Doordarshan show, Mukesh Khanna took the 1990s by storm and became every millennial`s favourite superhero. Now, it has been speculated that the television superhero will have a standalone movie starring Ranveer Singh in the titular role.
Mukesh shared that this isn`t the first time rumours and reports of actors being considered to play the iconic superhero on the big screen have surfaced on the internet.
His recent YouTube video became an instant controversy and stirred up rumours of Shah Rukh Khan being considered to play Shaktimaan before Ranveer.
Mukesh Khanna on who can play Shaktimaan?
In one interview, the veteran actor opened up about who could be the right fit to play the superhero on the big screen. While he said he would not like to comment on the recent speculation, Khanna is of the opinion that any star who has a fixed image would not be right to play the part.“Neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, or Tiger Shroff can become Shaktimaan. Because of the face that’s needed for Shaktimaan, none of them have it. Because they have a certain image,” he said.
Also Read: Mukesh Khanna Objects Ranveer Singh Playing Shaktimaan, Suggests Him To Open Nudist Camps
Mukesh Khanna further added that any actor, preferably a new face, who doesn`t have a set image would be the perfect fit to play Shaktimaan. “We need a Shaktimaan who can teach the kids. I feel there should be a new guy, if you ask me,” he added.
The actor further revealed that after the original run of Shaktimaan, he was in talks with Star India for another show. However, things did not materialise. “I said this is Star India’s loss, not my loss,” he said.
In an update about the upcoming superhero movie, Mukesh said they are yet to work out a story for the film. He also added that Shaktimaan is not just another TV serial; it is a "mythology."
“If we make a movie, we still don’t know what the story will be. There are so many people – the Sony people - that the conversation about the rights is still going on. Shaktimaan is not just a serial or even Avengers; Shaktimaan is out of mythology."
Mukesh Khanna on Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan
The veteran actor also took to Instagram and expressed his displeasure with Ranveer Singh being the possible choice to play Shaktimaan. He said he didn`t want the actor to play the part because of his "image" and suggested he open "nudist camps" in other countries.“Since a few months, social media has been flooded with the news of Ranveer playing Shaktimaan. Everyone was upset about it, but I kept quiet; however, when channels also announced that Ranveer was signed for the film, I had to open my mouth," Khanna mentioned.
He further added, "I have said that an actor who carries such an image, no matter how big he is, cannot play Shaktimaan. I have put my foot down; now see what happens further.”
The video went viral in no time. However, a few hours later, Mukesh Khanna took down the video after it stirred up a controversy on the internet. The film is based on India`s first superhero, Shaktimaan, was announced in 2022, with Sony Pictures India joining in as producers. The film was supposed to go on floors this May, but there hasn`t been news since.
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