Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna recently criticised Sonakshi Sinha for her lack of awareness about Indian mythology, referencing her 2019 appearance on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC). On the show, Sonakshi struggled to answer a question about the Ramayana, which asked, “For whom did Hanuman bring the Sanjeevani booti?” Mukesh not only highlighted her confusion but also blamed her father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, for not instilling cultural values in her.
What Mukesh Khanna said
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Mukesh spoke about the importance of reviving his iconic character, Shaktimaan, for modern audiences. He noted, “I think kids today need Shaktimaan’s guidance even more than the kids of the 1970s. Today’s generation is distracted by the internet. They’re busy with boyfriends and girlfriends and don’t even remember their grandparents’ names. One girl couldn’t even answer for whom Lord Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani booti.”
Mukesh Khanna blames Shatrughan Sinha for Sonakshi's lack of knowledge
When asked directly if he was referring to Sonakshi Sinha, Mukesh confirmed, “Yes, it’s her. And this is despite being the daughter of Shatrughan Sinha. Her brothers are named Luv and Kush.”
Mukesh further stated, “People were upset with Sonakshi for not knowing this, but the fault lies with her father. Why didn’t they teach her these things? Why have they become so modern that they’ve forgotten to pass on basic knowledge about Indian culture? If I were Shaktimaan today, I would ensure kids learn about Sanatan Dharma and our traditions.”
What happened on KBC 11
The incident Mukesh referred to took place during Sonakshi’s participation in KBC 11. She was asked, “According to the Ramayana, for whom did Hanuman fetch the Sanjeevani booti (herb)?” The options were Sugriva, Lakshman, Sita, and Rama. Sonakshi appeared unsure and used a lifeline to arrive at the correct answer, which was Lakshman. Her hesitation triggered backlash on social media, with many criticising her for not knowing this basic piece of Indian mythology.
How Amitabh Bachchan reacted
Even Amitabh Bachchan, the host of the show, teased Sonakshi about the irony of the situation. He remarked, “Aapke pitaji ka naam hai Shatrughan, aap jis ghar me rehti hain, uska naam hai Ramayana. Aapke jitne chacha hain, wo sab Ramayan se sambandhit hain. Aapko ye nahi pata ki Lakshman ke liye laaye they jadibooti? (Your father’s name is Shatrughan, your house is called Ramayana, and your uncles are named after characters from the Ramayana. How do you not know that Hanuman brought the herb for Lakshmana?)”