Mukesh Khanna, recently held a press conference to announce his comeback as his iconic character Shaktimaan. However, the internet was left confused, and the veteran actor was slammed for cashing in on nostalgia. Many netizens blamed Khanna for stalling the Shaktimaan movie project which Sony was producing. The actor has now taken to X and has clarified some of the statements he made at the event.
Khanna wrote that without him there was no Shaktimaan and a new Shaktimaan can come when he isn’t around. He also wrote that he didn’t mean to disrespect Ranveer Singh by calling the press conference. Ranveer was reportedly in the running to play the superhero in the movie adaptation.
He wrote, “Firstly why should i say i will be the next Shaktimaan. I am already the Shaktimaan. There would be another Shaktimaan only when there is a Shaktimaan. And i am that Shaktimaan. Without me there can not be other Shaktimaan. Since as Shaktimaan I have to create the Legacy of Shaktimaan.”
He continued his post and wrote, “Secondly i have not come to prove or show that i am better than Ranveer singh or any one who will wear the mantle of Shaktimaan. Become the next Shaktimaan.” Take a look at his post here.
I have come to clarify a misconception which a section of my viewers are started having that through this song and press conference i had come to declare to the world that i will be the next Shaktimaan.
Totally wrong. Let me explain.
1- Firstly why should i say i will be the… pic.twitter.com/oJ0CQmKSsj
— Mukesh Khanna (@actmukeshkhanna) November 13, 2024
As the post hit the internet, fans were not pleased with Khanna’s statement. One user wrote, “Sometimes having a grounded approach would help you to not end up in situations like this where you have to give an explanation. Your speech and approach was full of arrogance. A reality check to you: In this age if you make Shaktiman no one’s gonna watch it.”
Sometimes having a grounded approach would help you to not end up in situations like this where you have to give an explanation.
Your speech and approach was full of arrogance.
A reality check to you: In this age if you make Shaktiman no one’s gonna watch it.
Save ur money.
— Countryside (@Country33617557) November 14, 2024
I watched only 2 episodes of shaktiman when I was on 5th or 6th. In that age itself I knew it was pathetic. Horrible story line and graphics
Not every old stuff is cult.Nostalgia ke naam pe bakwas bech do
— Roshan (@roshan_physics) November 14, 2024
Sir ye sab kya kar rahe hai aap, YouTube pe views chahiye to ‘agla Shaktiman kaun hai aao batata hu’ aisa title daal do, or thumbnail me shaktiman ka costume ke Bagal me aap normal kapdo me khade ho jao. Lekin ye sab mat kariye, log kuchh bolte hai to hume bhi achha nahi lagta.
— PARGRAHI | Desi Alien (@iampargrahi) November 14, 2024
Meanwhile, the television show Shaktimaan was on air from 1997 to 2005 and was a hit amongst kids and youth. Sony Pictures India had announced a Shaktimaan film in 2022 and Ranveer was linked to the part since then, while Minnal Murali filmmaker Basil Joseph was rumoured to be directing.