India Will Reject 'Shaktimaan' Film If I Don't Play The Lead, Says OG Superhero Mukesh Khanna

Every 90s kid has grown up watching 'Shaktimaan'¡ªtheir OG superhero. The iconic TV show, which ran on DD National from 1997 to the mid-2000s, featured actor Mukesh Khanna as the titular superhero and his alter ego Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastriji, a geeky photographer at a newspaper.

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The series ran for nearly 450 episodes on DD National and had a massive fan following, especially among children.

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The show also starred Kitu Gidwani and Vaishnavi Mahant as Geeta Vishwas, a reporter who loves Shaktimaan, while actor Surendra Pal played the role of Tamraj Kilvish, the main antagonist. Because of the show's popularity, which lasted for over two decades, a movie on 'Shaktimaan' was announced in January.

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While fans are eagerly waiting to know who the lead actor will be, actor Mukesh Khanna answered a few questions about the upcoming magnum opus.

Talking to Amar Ujala, Mukesh Khanna said,

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"This movie is being made by the makers of Spider-Man. But, Shaktimaan will be desi. I have prepared the story of the film in my own way. My only condition to them was that they wouldn¡¯t change the story. People ask who will become Shaktimaan? This is also a very big question in itself, which I will not answer, but it is also certain that without Mukesh Khanna, there would be no Shaktimaan. Because if someone else becomes Shaktimaan, then the whole country will not accept him."

He shared some more details and confirmed that Rs 300 crore is being spent on the Shaktimaan movie.

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"This project has come to me after many years. People used to tell me to make Shaktimaan 2. I didn¡¯t want to bring Shaktimaan back on TV. After internal talks, I joined hands with the Sony people and later made the news public. People want to know what¡¯s happening next? Now, what should I tell them? This is a big film of at least Rs 300 crore. Can¡¯t tell much about it till everything is finalised," he shared.

Sony Pictures India announced in January 2022 that it will support the film adaptation of the popular superhero TV show.

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According to the makers, "Shaktimaan" will be headlined by "one of India¡¯s superstars". Khanna is attached as one of the producers through his Bheeshm International banner.

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The official Twitter account of Sony Pictures India shared a one-minute announcement video, teasing Gangadhar¡¯s iconic specs, his camera, and finally, the big reveal: the costume of Shaktimaan.

After the super success of our many superhero films in India and all over the globe, it's time for our desi Superhero!@ThoughtsBrewing @SinghhPrashant @MadhuryaVinay @actMukeshKhanna @vivekkrishnani @ladasingh @sonypicsfilmsin @sonypicsindia pic.twitter.com/sQzS2Z6Oju

¡ª Sony Pictures India (@SonyPicsIndia) February 10, 2022

"After the super success of our many superhero films in India and all over the globe, it¡¯s time for our desi superhero!"

Sony Pictures International Productions is set to bring ¡®Shaktimaan¡¯ to the big screen and recreate the magic of the iconic superhero, to be headlined by one of India¡¯s superstars. Details about the director and other cast members are kept under wraps.

Amid the hoopla, one crucial question is whether a Shaktimaan film is necessary.

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Isn't it easier and better to cling to those early memories of Sundays spent watching Shaktimaan? Here is an interesting Reddit thread that explores the same question.

What are your thoughts on the adaption, given the track record of filmmakers butchering the originals? Let us know in the comments section below.

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