It is one of the most talked-about casting standoffs in Bollywood, and it just got even more fascinating. Mukesh Khanna, the man who is Shaktimaan for an entire generation of Indian viewers, has once again made his position crystal clear — Ranveer Singh will not be playing the iconic superhero, even if it costs him a fortune.
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Mukesh Khanna: The Man Who Said No to Crores
In a candid interview with Zoom, Khanna acknowledged that Sony Pictures is ready to offer him a significant sum to move forward with the film, but he has firmly refused. In his own words — it is his loss, he is losing crores, but he simply does not want this casting. His reasoning is that the studio wants a star, while he does not.
That takes some serious conviction. Walking away from a major payday to protect the integrity of a character you built from scratch? That’s not stubbornness — that’s legacy guardianship.
Why Ranveer Singh Doesn’t Fit Shaktimaan, According to Khanna
Khanna praised Ranveer Singh’s range as a performer, acknowledging he has proven himself in films like Dhurandhar, Gully Boy, and Padmaavat as Khilji. But he argued that playing Shaktimaan requires more than raw talent — it requires the right face and persona. He pointed to the example of Akshay Kumar playing Prithviraj Chauhan, stating that despite the costume and wig, the look simply did not work because the actor did not embody the character.
Shaktimaan Casting Controversy — The Key Moments
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Film Announced | ~4 years ago, Ranveer Singh linked to lead role |
| Khanna’s Stance | Consistently opposed; publicly rejected the casting |
| Sony Pictures’ Position | Ready to offer crores to proceed |
| Ranveer’s Attempt | Met Khanna personally to discuss the role |
| Khanna’s Alternative Suggestion | Ranveer play villain Tamraj Kilvish instead |
| Current Status | Deadlock — no resolution reached |
The Meeting That Changed Nothing
Khanna revealed that Sony organised a meeting where Ranveer Singh came in person to try to convince him that he could play the role — and that this was not the first time Ranveer had shown such interest. Khanna’s counter-proposal was that Singh instead take on the role of Tamraj Kilvish, the show’s iconic villain. The conversation ended without any resolution.
Honestly, Tamraj Kilvish played by Ranveer Singh sounds absolutely thrilling — and yet, one can understand why Singh would want the lead.
If given the opportunity, Khanna said he would prefer to hold nationwide auditions to find someone who truly embodies Shaktimaan — good-looking, simple, and kind — rather than casting an established star with a pre-existing screen image.
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FAQs
Q: Why is Mukesh Khanna against Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan?
Khanna believes Shaktimaan requires not just acting talent but the right physical look and persona — and feels an established star with a strong screen image cannot authentically embody the pure, simple nature of the character.
Q: What did Mukesh Khanna suggest as an alternative role for Ranveer Singh?
Khanna proposed that Ranveer Singh instead portray Tamraj Kilvish, the memorable villain from the original Shaktimaan TV series, rather than the titular superhero.
