Actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his iconic portrayal of the superhero Shaktimaan, has once again voiced his strong opinions about who could—and could not—play the role in the planned theatrical reboot. Despite years of speculation that Bollywood star Ranveer Singh would step into the shoes of the legendary superhero, Khanna has repeatedly dismissed him as unsuitable for the role. In a recent interview, he also spoke out against Tiger Shroff, citing the actor’s image as a major hindrance to taking on the role of Shaktimaan.
In a conversation with ABP’s Entertainment Live, Khanna made it clear that he believes none of the current Bollywood superstars, including Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, or Ajay Devgn, are fit to play Shaktimaan due to their already established public images. While these actors are well-known for their strong screen personas, Khanna argued that they are too closely associated with certain roles to convincingly step into Shaktimaan’s shoes.
However, it was Tiger Shroff’s suitability for the role that drew the harshest criticism. Khanna, known for his candid and often controversial remarks, explained, “Forgive me, but if Tiger Shroff tells a child to flush the toilet as Shaktimaan, the kid will turn around and say to him, ‘Tu baith jaa (Sit down).’”
He further elaborated, saying Shroff’s image as a youthful and action-oriented actor does not align with the gravitas required to portray Shaktimaan. “He is still a child among children, that’s his image. He doesn’t have the stature that one needs to play Shaktimaan,” Khanna said. He went on to explain that Shaktimaan is not just a fighter, but a wise and evolved character with deep seriousness—traits that Khanna believes Shroff lacks.
Khanna also made it clear that no one would be able to take on the Shaktimaan role unless he personally approved it. “Ranveer is desperate to play the character, but nobody can take over the role unless I give my go-ahead as the producer,” he stated at a recent press conference. The much-anticipated Shaktimaan film was announced in 2022 by Sony Pictures International, with Ranveer Singh rumoured to play the lead. Minnal Murali director Basil Joseph is reportedly set to helm the project, although no official updates have been provided.