In a remarkable turn of events, Mukesh Khanna—the legendary actor who famously denied Ranveer Singh the Shaktimaan role—has now showered the Dhurandhar star with high praise. Despite publicly opposing Singh’s casting as India’s iconic superhero, Khanna admits the actor remains “one of the best” in the industry.
Table of Contents
Mukesh Khanna’s Controversy Revisited
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Khanna’s Original Stance | Denied Ranveer for lacking maturity for Shaktimaan |
| Reason Given | “People may enjoy because he makes you dance, but role needs someone mature” |
| Dhurandhar Performance | Praised for “brooding eyes” and “infectious energy” |
| Current Box Office | ₹492 crore (approaching ₹500 crore club) |
| Khanna’s New Opinion | “One of the best actors” despite Shaktimaan rejection |
The contradiction is striking: the same actor Khanna deemed too immature for a superhero role has now delivered what many call the performance of his career in Dhurandhar.
What Changed Mukesh Khanna’s Mind?
In a recent YouTube video, the original Shaktimaan openly acknowledged Ranveer Singh’s exceptional talent. Khanna specifically praised Singh’s portrayal of a RAW agent in Dhurandhar, saying, “I would like to praise this film’s hero Ranveer Singh. Even if I have denied him, he remains one of the best actors. I have always maintained this stance.”
The veteran actor highlighted several aspects of Ranveer’s performance:
Infectious Energy: Khanna noted how Singh’s natural vitality translates perfectly on screen, bringing authenticity to the high-octane spy thriller.
Brooding Intensity: The “brooding eyes” that Khanna mentioned became crucial for portraying a spy navigating the dangerous landscape of Pakistan while infiltrating a criminal gang.
Emotional Range: Singh’s ability to gain sympathy while playing a deceptive character showcased the layered acting Khanna now appreciates.
The Irony of Maturity
What makes this praise particularly intriguing is the contrast with Khanna’s earlier criticism. He previously argued that Ranveer needed maturity for the Shaktimaan role—yet Dhurandhar demanded exactly the kind of restrained, mature performance that proves Singh possesses that quality.
The film required Singh to portray an undercover agent who saves a gang leader’s son to gain trust, gradually infiltrating a criminal organization. This nuanced, controlled performance directly contradicts Khanna’s concern about the actor being too flamboyant for serious roles.
Dhurandhar’s Blockbuster Success
According to official box office reports, Dhurandhar is smashing records with approximately ₹492 crore collected so far. The film is set to enter the prestigious ₹500 crore nett club on its 17th day—a feat that validates both Ranveer’s star power and acting prowess.
Trade analysts predict the Aditya Dhar directorial will cross ₹700 crore nett and potentially overtake Pushpa 2 (Hindi) as the highest-grossing Hindi film domestically. These numbers speak louder than any casting controversy.
A Lesson in Judging Versatility
Khanna’s changed perspective highlights an important truth about actors like Ranveer Singh: their ability to surprise. Singh has consistently proven he’s more than the energetic, dancing personality Khanna referenced. From Padmaavat’s brooding Alauddin Khilji to Dhurandhar’s controlled spy, Singh demonstrates remarkable range.
The Shaktimaan creator’s praise also reveals how industry veterans can evolve their opinions when presented with undeniable talent. Khanna separating the Shaktimaan casting decision from acknowledging Singh’s overall acting ability shows professional maturity.
FAQs
Why did Mukesh Khanna reject Ranveer Singh for Shaktimaan?
Mukesh Khanna rejected Ranveer Singh for the Shaktimaan role because he felt the character required someone more mature. Khanna stated that while people might enjoy Ranveer’s energetic, dancing personality, the iconic superhero role needed a different kind of gravitas and maturity that he didn’t believe Singh possessed at the time.
What made Mukesh Khanna change his opinion about Ranveer Singh?
After watching Ranveer Singh’s performance in Dhurandhar, Mukesh Khanna was impressed by the actor’s “brooding eyes,” controlled intensity, and ability to portray a complex undercover RAW agent. Despite maintaining his stance on the Shaktimaan casting, Khanna publicly praised Singh as “one of the best actors,” acknowledging his infectious energy and acting prowess that made the spy thriller successful.
