4 min readMumbaiUpdated: Mar 18, 2024 06:47 PM IST
In 2022, it was announced that Mukesh Khanna’s popular show from 1997, Shaktimaan, would be made into a film. Later on, Sony Pictures India also announced that it would back this adaption of the popular TV show that not just featured Mukesh but was also produced by him. Ever since this announcement, rumors started doing rounds that Ranveer Singh would play the superhero’s role in the movie. However, Mukesh has now refuted all such reports through a post and video. He has even slammed Ranveer Singh for his conduct.
Also Read: Mukesh Khanna reveals why Shaktimaan film, rumoured to be with Ranveer Singh, is delayed; says it’s going to be ‘massive Rs 200-300 crore’ film
Sharing a post on Instagram, Mukesh Khanna wrote, “Pura social media mahinon se is rumour se bhara pada tha ki Ranveer karega Shaktimaan. Aur har koi naaraz tha ise lekar. Main chup raha. Lekin jub channels ne bhi elaan karna shuru kar diya ki Ranveer sign ho gaya hai. To mujhe muhn kholana pada. Aur maine bol diya ki aisi image wala vyakti kitna bhi bada star kyon na ho Shaktimaan nahin ban sakta. I have put my foot down. Ab Aaga aage dekhiye hota hai kya ?? (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. 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).”
Adding on to this, Mukesh also released a video on his YouTube channel where he condemned Ranveer Singh for his nude photoshoot for a magazine. He even went on to express disappointment over Ranveer’s statement about feeling comfortable doing that photoshoot. The veteran actor even advised Ranveer to take up roles in other countries where nudity is prevalent. Further commenting on who he thinks can play Shaktimaan, Mukesh said, “If I would have found the actor, wouldn’t I have started making the film by now?”
Mukesh Khanna added, “I have told the producers, that your competition is not with Spider-Man, Batman, Captain Planet. Shaktimaan is not just a superhero, he has also become a super teacher. Now, the actor who takes on the role should have the quality that when he speaks, people will listen. There are big actors, but their image comes in the middle.”
However, hours after posting the videos, Mukesh took them down from Instagram and YouTube.
In February, it was reported that Ranveer Singh will start shooting for Shaktimaan right after Don 3. The film based on the superhero has been in the writing stage for more than three years now. Reportedly, the writers have finally cracked the script that would do justice to Shaktimaan’s legacy. Rumours also suggest Basil Joseph will direct the movie, while Sony Pictures and Sajid Nadiadwala will produce it.
Mukesh Khanna on rumours of Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan (Photos: Mukesh Khanna, Ranveer Singh / Instagram)