For late millennials and early Gen Zers, the Hindi superhero television series Shaktimaan is not just a fond memory but a defining part of their childhood. So, when reports emerged that a film adaptation of Shaktimaan was in the works, the child in every now-adult fan was ecstatic. However, since then, the project has mostly made headlines for the wrong reasons, particularly due to heavy-handed statements from the TV show’s creator Mukesh Khanna.
Although rumours have been rife that Minnal Murali director and Malayalam actor Basil Joseph would helm the project, with Bollywood star Ranveer Singh in the titular role, Mukesh Khanna has firmly denied the latter part time and again, stating that Ranveer “doesn’t have the correct face” for the character.
Recently, another rumour surfaced suggesting that Telugu superstar Allu Arjun had replaced Ranveer Singh in the upcoming film reboot. Interestingly, Mukesh had once acknowledged that Arjun “has it in him to be Shaktimaan”. While Arjun’s fans were thrilled by the speculation, Basil Joseph has categorically denied the reports, reiterating that Ranveer Singh remains the only choice for the character.
‘Shaktimaan will be made only with Ranveer Singh’
“Shaktimaan will be made only with Ranveer Singh,” senior film journalist Subhash K Jha quoted Basil as saying. A source close to the project echoed this sentiment and told Jha, “No one else is doing Shaktimaan. It is Ranveer Singh and no one else. Whoever is spreading rumours of his replacement clearly has their own agenda.”
Now, it needs to be seen what Mukesh Khanna’s response to this would be, particularly since he has repeatedly asserted that Ranveer Singh is not suited for the role. “People know that Ranveer Singh came to convince me for allowing him to reprise the role of Shaktiman. I can’t hide it also because later people said that I lauded Ranveer and called him a terrific actor. News of Ranveer being confirmed to play Shaktiman started coming but I hadn’t agreed to it. I also have a conflict with Sony and I had put up a video clarifying that I haven’t approved Ranveer to play the role and the reason is that…Ranveer sat in front of me that day for 3 hours but ultimately I had to tell him that what needs to be seen on his face wasn’t there. He looks playful, like someone who would trick others,” he told Bollywood Thikana in September last year.
However, his repeated comments sparked controversy, prompting Mukesh to clarify that he meant no disrespect towards Ranveer. At a press conference, when asked whether he made Ranveer wait at his office for hours, the Shaktimaan actor responded, “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!”
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Meanwhile, after watching Pushpa 2: The Rule, Mukesh Khanna praised Allu Arjun, saying, “I think I have to watch more Allu Arjun films. Also, let me go out on a limb and say that he has it in him to be Shaktimaan. I am not saying he is doing it or anything. I’m just suggesting that it would look good on him. He has the personality to pull it off.”
