Mukesh Khanna Says Neither Shah Rukh Khan Nor Akshay Kumar Can Play Shaktimaan, Here`s Why

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MARCH 21,2024

Bollywood and controversies are synonymous with each other, so much so that a day without any controversial news seems incomplete. Speaking of controversies, television actor Mukesh Khanna recently 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 favorite 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 rumors 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 rumors of Shah Rukh Khan being considered to play Shaktimaan before Ranveer.

Mukesh Khanna on who can play Shaktimaan?

In a recent 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, preferrably 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 materialize. '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

On Monday, the veteran actor 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.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone Announces Her Pregnancy With Ranveer Singh, Couple Due In September

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 based on India's first superhero, Shaktimaan, was announced in 2022, with Sony Pictures India joining in as producers. More details about the same are yet to be revealed.