Mumbai: Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for playing the iconic Indian superhero Shaktimaan, has once again rejected the idea of Ranveer Singh taking over the titular role in the proposed big-screen adaptation. Khanna said he could not imagine Singh as Shaktimaan and suggested that the actor would be better suited to play the superhero’s arch-rival Tamraj Kilvish.
Khanna’s latest comments have reignited the long-running debate around the casting of the Shaktimaan film. While he acknowledged Ranveer’s acting ability and energy, he maintained that the actor does not have the right image or facial personality for the superhero.
According to Khanna, the character requires a particular kind of positive and trustworthy appearance, something he believes Ranveer does not naturally project. He has also previously made it clear that his concerns are about the suitability of the actor for the character and not about Ranveer’s abilities as a performer.
Khanna rejects Ranveer as Shaktimaan
Mukesh Khanna remains strongly protective of the Shaktimaan character, which he originally played in the hugely popular television series.
In his latest comments, Khanna said Ranveer Singh could perform several other kinds of roles but did not fit his idea of Shaktimaan. He reportedly pointed to Ranveer’s roles in films such as Dhurandhar, Gully Boy and his portrayal of Alauddin Khilji as examples of the actor’s versatility, while maintaining that the superhero requires a different image.
Khanna’s argument is centred on the image associated with Shaktimaan. The character became a household name among Indian viewers in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly among children.
For Khanna, the actor playing the superhero must therefore represent a strong sense of goodness and positivity.
Ranveer could play Kilvish, says Khanna
Instead of imagining Ranveer as Shaktimaan, Khanna believes the actor could be more convincing as Kilvish, the central villain of the Shaktimaan universe.
Tamraj Kilvish is Shaktimaan’s principal antagonist and represents darkness and evil within the original story.
Khanna believes Ranveer’s ability to portray intense and negative characters could work in his favour in the role.
The suggestion is particularly notable because Ranveer has previously received praise for his portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat. His performance as the antagonist demonstrated his ability to play a character with a dark and unpredictable personality.
Khanna has therefore drawn a distinction between Ranveer’s acting talent and his suitability for the superhero’s image.
Khanna says it is about the right image
Khanna has stressed that his objection should not be interpreted as criticism of Ranveer as an actor.
He has reportedly said that he has never claimed Ranveer is a bad actor. His concern is that Shaktimaan requires the right face, image and personality.
The distinction is important because Ranveer has established himself as one of Bollywood’s most versatile performers, taking on roles ranging from dramatic characters to action heroes and historical figures.
Khanna’s objection is therefore primarily about casting rather than acting ability.
Why Shaktimaan needs a different face
For Khanna, Shaktimaan is more than another superhero character.
The character has a strong cultural connection with an entire generation of Indian television viewers.
The original series, which aired on Doordarshan, turned Khanna into the face of the superhero. His appearance in the costume and the character’s moral messages became closely associated with the show.
The superhero was presented as a symbol of truth, discipline and justice.
Khanna believes that whoever takes over the role needs to naturally reflect those qualities.
Ranveer reportedly tried to convince Khanna
Khanna has previously spoken about his interaction with Ranveer during discussions about the proposed film.
According to reports, Ranveer spent several hours trying to convince Khanna that he could successfully portray Shaktimaan.
Khanna acknowledged being impressed by the actor’s energy and enthusiasm, but said he still could not visualise him as the superhero.
This illustrates how strongly Khanna associates the character with a particular personality and appearance.
Despite Ranveer’s efforts, Khanna did not change his position.
Khanna has rejected financial offers
Khanna has also revealed that he has turned down significant financial offers because of his concerns about how Shaktimaan could be handled.
He reportedly admitted that refusing the proposed casting could be viewed as commercially foolish, particularly because the project could involve substantial money.
However, he has maintained that protecting the legacy of Shaktimaan is more important to him than the financial benefits.
Reports say he has even held back a cheque worth crores in connection with the proposed project.
Money is not Khanna’s priority
Khanna’s position has been consistent with his broader approach to the character.
He has indicated that he would rather risk financial loss than approve a version of Shaktimaan that does not match his vision.
His argument is that the superhero’s legacy should not be compromised simply because a commercially successful actor is available.
The veteran actor has therefore placed the character’s image above potential financial gains.
Shaktimaan remains close to Khanna
The connection between Khanna and Shaktimaan goes back decades.
The television series premiered in 1997 and ran until 2005. Khanna played both Shaktimaan and his alter ego, Gangadhar, making the character one of the most recognisable Indian television superheroes.
The show became particularly popular among children and families.
Its story combined superhero action with messages about morality, responsibility and social behaviour.
As a result, Shaktimaan developed an identity that extended beyond entertainment.
The proposed film has faced uncertainty
Plans to bring Shaktimaan to the big screen have been discussed for several years.
A revival of the character was announced in 2024, but questions surrounding the cast, creative direction and production have continued.
The proposed film has therefore remained a subject of interest among fans of the original series.
Khanna’s latest comments are likely to add another layer to discussions about who should eventually play the superhero.
Ranveer’s casting became controversial
Ranveer Singh’s name became strongly associated with the proposed Shaktimaan film, leading to considerable discussion among fans.
Some viewers welcomed the possibility of a major Bollywood star taking on an iconic Indian superhero, while others questioned whether his screen persona matched the character.
Khanna has clearly fallen into the latter camp.
His latest remarks show that he remains unconvinced even after considering Ranveer’s acting credentials.
The debate is about legacy
The central issue for Khanna is not simply casting.
It is about how the character should be represented to a new generation.
Shaktimaan became popular partly because of the values attached to the character.
Khanna believes those values need to remain central if the superhero is adapted for modern audiences.
That is why he has been particularly vocal about casting decisions.
Who is Tamraj Kilvish?
Tamraj Kilvish is Shaktimaan’s main enemy in the original series.
The character represents darkness and is determined to spread evil and corruption.
Kilvish’s presence provided the central conflict in the television show and became one of the most memorable elements of the Shaktimaan universe.
Khanna’s suggestion that Ranveer could play Kilvish is therefore not a minor alternative.
It would place the actor on the opposite side of the hero-versus-villain conflict.
Ranveer has experience with dark characters
Ranveer’s previous performances provide some basis for Khanna’s suggestion.
His portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat was particularly noted for its intensity and larger-than-life screen presence.
He has also played morally complex or unconventional characters in several films.
This range is perhaps why Khanna believes he could work better as Kilvish than as Shaktimaan.
The suggestion also highlights the contrast between the two characters.
Shaktimaan requires a positive presence
According to Khanna’s reasoning, the superhero should immediately appear trustworthy to the audience.
The character is supposed to represent goodness and moral strength.
A performer with a more mischievous or unpredictable screen image could therefore make it harder for audiences to immediately accept him as Shaktimaan.
This is the basis of Khanna’s argument about Ranveer’s face and image.
Khanna remains involved in the character’s future
Although Khanna is no longer playing Shaktimaan on television, he continues to speak publicly about the character’s future.
His involvement reflects how closely he identifies with the superhero.
The actor created and produced the original series, in addition to playing its lead role.
His views therefore carry particular weight among fans who remember the original show.
At the same time, the modern adaptation may ultimately need to find its own creative direction.
A new generation is waiting
The challenge for the proposed film is to appeal to two groups of viewers.
One is the generation that grew up watching Khanna as Shaktimaan.
The other consists of younger audiences who may be discovering the character for the first time.
A successful adaptation would need to preserve the character’s core identity while presenting the story in a contemporary cinematic format.
Casting will naturally play an important role in achieving that balance.
Fans remain divided
The possibility of Ranveer playing Shaktimaan has generated mixed reactions.
Some fans believe his acting range and physicality could allow him to reinvent the character.
Others share Khanna’s concern that the actor’s established image may not match the innocent and morally upright persona associated with the original superhero.
The disagreement demonstrates the difficulty of remaking a character that carries strong nostalgia.
Khanna’s comments keep the casting debate alive
The latest remarks ensure that the casting question remains in the spotlight.
Rather than simply rejecting Ranveer, Khanna has offered an alternative: cast him as the villain.
That suggestion is likely to generate further discussion among fans and the film industry.
Whether the eventual production follows Khanna’s vision remains uncertain.
The business angle
Khanna himself has acknowledged that his stance could be viewed as commercially questionable.
Ranveer is a major Bollywood star with a large audience and strong brand value.
Casting him as the lead could potentially provide significant visibility to a Shaktimaan film.
However, Khanna believes commercial considerations should not override the identity of the character.
His decision reflects a conflict between nostalgia, creative control and commercial filmmaking.
What Khanna wants for Shaktimaan
At the heart of Khanna’s comments is a desire to preserve the superhero’s identity.
He wants the new Shaktimaan to be someone who looks and feels like a hero first.
The actor believes that the character should inspire audiences rather than simply function as another action role.
That philosophy has guided his objections to several revival attempts over the years.
The future of Shaktimaan
For now, the biggest questions surrounding the film remain unanswered.
The final casting, production plans and release timeline will determine how the character returns to audiences.
Khanna’s strong views indicate that the legacy of the original series will remain part of the conversation.
If the film eventually moves forward, its makers will have to balance the expectations of longtime fans with the demands of a modern superhero movie.
Conclusion
Mumbai: Mukesh Khanna has rejected Ranveer Singh as the new Shaktimaan, saying the actor does not have the right image or face for the iconic superhero. Khanna, who played and created the original television character, believes Ranveer would be better suited to play the villain Tamraj Kilvish.
Khanna has clarified that his objection is not about Ranveer’s acting ability. Instead, he believes Shaktimaan requires a particularly positive and trustworthy screen image. He has also spoken about turning down major financial offers because he does not want the character’s legacy compromised.
Ranveer had reportedly tried to convince Khanna that he could take on the superhero role, but the veteran actor remained unconvinced.
With the proposed Shaktimaan film continuing to attract attention, Khanna’s latest comments have once again put the casting debate in the spotlight. Whether Ranveer eventually appears in the project, and in which role, remains to be seen.