Mukesh Khanna Wanted Ranveer Singh As Tamraj Kilvish: ‘Shaktimaan Needs A Different Energy’ – News18

Last Updated:December 15, 2024, 17:59 IST

Mukesh Khanna recently clarified rumors surrounding his rejection of Ranveer Singh for the role of Shaktimaan in a potential reboot.

Mukesh Khanna, widely recognized for his portrayal of the iconic superhero Shaktimaan, has often spoken about rejecting Ranveer Singh for the titular role in a potential reboot. In a recent interaction, he clarified misconceptions surrounding his past comments and shed light on why he refused to grant the rights to the character to Aditya Chopra’s team.

Addressing the controversy, Khanna stated, “It’s wrong to say I made him wait. He came with love to meet me. It was an arranged meeting organized by Sony, where Ranveer came to convince me that he could play Shaktimaan. This wasn’t the first time he showed interest in the role.”

Revealing details about YRF’s approach a decade ago, the veteran actor shared, “Ten years ago, Aditya Chopra’s team contacted me, asking if I could give them the rights to Shaktimaan. Around that time, coincidentally, a photo of Ranveer Singh wearing Shaktimaan’s costume surfaced on social media. I refused to give them the rights but proposed that they collaborate with me instead. I didn’t want them to turn it into a disco drama.”

Khanna also opened up about Ranveer Singh’s enthusiasm during their meeting, praising his energy and passion. “Ranveer is full of energy, and he spoke to me genuinely for three hours. He even shared how he got his first film and enacted how he would play Shaktimaan. I really wanted to tell him to play Tamraj Kilvish. He wanted to convince me that he can play Shaktimaan. That meeting ended in no result,” he said.

Clearing the air further, Mukesh reiterated, “It was a misunderstanding. I didn’t make him wait. He spoke to me for three hours straight. I am not as big an actor as he is to make him wait for so long. He later returned with his promotional team, and even his PR manager tried to convince me about what works in today’s times.”

Shaktimaan, which aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is often regarded as India’s first major superhero series. Created and portrayed by Mukesh Khanna, the character embodied moral values, spiritual wisdom, and superhuman abilities. The show captured the imagination of a generation, blending action and storytelling with strong messages about good triumphing over evil. The series, along with its iconic villain Tamraj Kilvish, remains a nostalgic treasure and a benchmark for Indian superhero storytelling.