Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, renowned for his iconic portrayal of the superhero Shaktimaan, recently lit a storm on social media. The internet buzzed with speculation about the potential casting of Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan in an upcoming project. Khanna took to his social media platforms to address these rumors in a now-deleted video. He expressed absolute disagreement with Singh’s purported casting.
‘I have put my foot down’: Mukesh Khanna on not casting Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan
The saga began when reports suggested that Ranveer Singh was slated to step in the shoes of the beloved superhero in an adaptation of the cult classic television series. Initially announced in 2022, the Shaktimaan film project garnered considerable attention. After all, Sony Pictures India backed the venture. However, as speculation surrounding Singh’s involvement intensified, Khanna felt compelled to voice his reservations.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Khanna aired his concerns. He stated (originally in Hindi), “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.” In addition, he emphasized that an actor, irrespective of stature, who didn’t align with Shaktimaan’s ethos couldn’t do justice to the character.
However, Mukesh Khanna’s dissent didn’t end with the Instagram post. He further elaborated on his stance in a now-removed YouTube video, where he criticized Ranveer Singh’s iconic nude photoshoot for a magazine. He expressed disappointment over Singh’s statements defending the photoshoot. Furthermore, he suggested that Singh explore roles in countries where such depictions are more widely accepted.
Overall, Khanna’s remarks underscored the significance of preserving Shaktimaan’s legacy and ensuring that the character is played authentically. However, Mukesh Khanna later decided to delete both videos despite the initial fervor.
