Mukesh Khanna, who enthralled the 90s kids with his spectacular portrayal of Shaktimaan, has confirmed that he is not returning as the superhero character. While the popular series is up for a revival, the veteran star has revealed that the “hunt is on” for a “new Shaktimaan”. He, at a press conference, has also refuted the rumours about making Ranveer Singh wait for three hours at his office. The Singham Again actor visited Mukesh Khanna to discuss the role of Shaktimaan.
Mukesh Khanna said, “No. I didn't force him to wait. He sat for three hours because he wanted to. He came to my office. We enjoyed each other's company. He's a terrific actor, he has terrific energy. But I decide who plays Shaktimaan. Producers cast actors; an actor can't cast a producer. You come to my office and say that you want to be Shaktimaan, it's not allowed!” as per a report by India Today.
In his long note on X (formerly Twitter), Mukesh Khanna clarified the misconception which spread after he announced Shaktimaan's Return. He also added, "I have not come to prove or show that I am better than Ranveer Singh or anyone who will wear the mantle of Shaktimaan. Become the next Shaktimaan.”
He wrote, “I have come to clarify a misconception which a section of my viewers are started having that through this song and press conference I had come to declare to the world that I will be the next Shaktimaan. Totally wrong. Let me explain.”
Mukesh Khanna added, “Firstly why should I say I will be the next Shaktimaan? I am already the Shaktimaan. There would be another Shaktimaan only when there is a Shaktimaan. And I am that Shaktimaan. Without me, there can not be other Shaktimaan. Since as Shaktimaan, I have to create the Legacy of Shaktimaan. Secondly, I have not come to prove or show that I am better than Ranveer Singh or anyone who will wear the mantle of Shaktimaan. Become the next Shaktimaan.”
Highlighting the reason why he came as the “older Shaktimaan” Mukesh Khanna said, “I came as older Shaktimaan to pass on a message to today's generation only because I felt older Shaktimaan will be in a better position to do that than the new one because the older Shaktimaan already has a readymade audience for the last 27 years. I came up with a patriotic quiz song as an older Shaktimaan because I can and everyone should clearly see that Darkness and Evil are prevailing over children of today. In Shaktimaan's language it can be said - ‘Andhera kaayam ho raha hai.' So the need of the hour is, this message should be urgently passed.”
Mukesh Khanna signed off his post by saying, “So rest assured new Shaktimaan will come. Who will he be? I can't say. Because I even don't know. Hunt is still on.”
Shaktimaan originally aired on Doordarshan in 1997 and it ran successfully for 450 episodes. Previously, reports were rife that Ranveer Singh would be playing Shaktimaan in a film spin-off. Mukesh Khanna shared his two cents on the matter. Read all about it here.