Mukesh Khanna Says No Actor, Not Even Salman or SRK, is Fit to Play Shaktimaan: 'Shaalinta Kisi Mein Nahi Aayegi'

Mukesh Khanna, widely known for his portrayal of the Indian superhero Shaktimaan, remains adamant that no prominent actor from the current film industry fits the role of the beloved 90s character.

Mukesh Khanna believes that no prominent actor from the current film industry fits the role of Shaktimaan

Source : Instagram/@iammukeshkhanna

Mukesh Khanna, widely known for his iconic portrayal of the Indian superhero Shaktimaan, remains adamant that no prominent actor from the current film industry fits the role of the beloved 90s character. Following the announcement of a big-screen reboot of the show in 2022, with rumours circulating about Ranveer Singh being cast as the superhero, Khanna has consistently voiced his opposition to the idea. In a recent interview, when asked which actor from the current generation could take on the role, Khanna confessed that he couldn’t think of anyone suitable. 

Mukesh Khanna on who can play Shaktimaan

Speaking to ABP News Entertainment Live, Khanna shared, “If I had a name, I would have announced and released it two years ago. All are great actors—Salman, Akshay, Ajay, Shah Rukh Khan. They are all talented, but the moment they appear as Shaktimaan, you’ll see Pathaan behind Shah Rukh, Bhaijaan behind Salman, Singham behind Ajay, and Hera Pheri behind Akshay. Shaalinta kisi mein nahi aayegi (That grace won’t come through). They can’t become Shaktimaan. I need someone without such an established image. I clicked because I didn’t have any image, that helped Shaktimaan to grow.” 

On the new generation of actors, Khanna expressed his doubts, saying, “I’m a bit confused about today’s actors, even though people say I’m wrong and that a good actor can pull off any role. Sure, no matter how good an actor—whether it’s Marlon Brando, Dilip Kumar, or even Amitabh Bachchan—they can perform a variety of roles. But Shaktimaan is not just any role. To play Shaktimaan, it’s not enough to be just an actor; you need the right face for it as well.” 

Watch the full interview here:

On why Ranveer Singh is not fit to play Shaktimaan

When it comes to Ranveer Singh’s potential casting as Shaktimaan, Khanna made his stance clear: “Many people told me that he’s a great actor, he even played Khilji. I said, he may be a great actor, but I’m not convinced by his appearance or face for this role. Some people understand my point, some don’t. Right now, we’re on pause.” 

Khanna further talked about the depth and seriousness of the Shaktimaan character, stating, “Shaktimaan isn’t a brainless brawler. He has a seriousness, he is wise. He is an evolved person, for God’s sake. He is not an ordinary Arnold Schwarzenegger, nor does he have a suit like Iron Man, nor has he flown in from Krypton like Superman. His costume is created by combining the five elements. You can imagine the power he wields, and I don’t want to throw that away with a face which is not matching with the costume.” 

Mukesh Khanna recently announced that he would be returning to the role of Shaktimaan.