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Mukesh Khanna has rejected the idea of Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan in Sony’s upcoming film.
Mukesh Khanna, the original Shaktimaan, has voiced strong opposition to Ranveer Singh being cast in the upcoming film adaptation.
Mukesh Khanna, who became a household name in the 1990s as Shaktimaan, continues to guard the legacy of India’s first iconic superhero with fierce protectiveness. While Sony Pictures announced in 2022 that the cult TV show would be revived as a film trilogy, casting has become the biggest point of contention. Reports suggest the studio wants Ranveer Singh to headline the project, but Khanna has made it abundantly clear that he does not see him as the right fit for the role.
In a recent interaction with Filmygyan, Khanna responded to a fan urging him to accept Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan. His reply was blunt, “You can’t change my mind. You like Ranveer Singh, and I like him too. We’ve sat and talked for three hours, and he’s a very energetic actor. But I have openly said to his face: you can play Tamraj Kilvish. His face has a mischievous positivity. If you make him Shaktimaan, people may enjoy it because he makes you dance, but the role needs someone mature enough.”
Khanna emphasized that casting Shaktimaan goes beyond acting ability—it requires an actor’s real-life image to align with the purity of the superhero. He said, “Mujhe Shaktimaan ke liye actor nahi chahiye, face bhi chahiye. Kahin na kahin real-life mein agar aapki image galat hai, toh woh beech mein aati hai. Kayi log mujhe Ranveer Singh ke liye bolte hai ki ‘Arrey sahab, yeh nashedi ko Shaktimaan mat banana, humare bachpan ki yaadien khatam ho jaayengi.’”
The original Shaktimaan aired on Doordarshan from 1997 to 2005 and ran for 450 episodes. Apart from Khanna in the dual role of Shaktimaan and his bumbling alter ego, Gangadhar, the show starred Kitu Gidwani, Vaishnavi, Surendra Pal, and Tom Alter. Its popularity cemented it as a pioneer of the Indian superhero genre, with reruns and nostalgia still fueling its cult following.
The Big Screen Battle
When Sony Pictures announced Shaktimaan: The Movie, the teaser promised a trilogy and described it as the grand revival of India’s very own superhero. However, disagreements over casting have sparked debate. Khanna insists Ranveer Singh isn’t suited for the role, while director Basil Joseph, reportedly attached to helm the project, has doubled down on Singh’s involvement. Speaking to Subhash K. Jha for Bollywood Hungama, Joseph said, “No one else is doing Shaktimaan. It is Ranveer Singh and no one else. Whoever is spreading rumours of his replacement clearly has their own agenda.”
What’s Next for Ranveer Singh?
Even as speculation swirls around Shaktimaan, Ranveer Singh is preparing for the release of Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar. The film, co-starring Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, is slated to hit theatres on December 5.
With Mukesh Khanna and Basil Joseph on opposite ends of the casting debate, the future of Shaktimaan remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the role continues to hold an unmatched emotional weight for generations of Indian audiences—and whoever dons the superhero’s iconic maroon suit will be stepping into one of the most cherished legacies of Indian television.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
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