MUMBAI | APRIL 19, 2026 (11:15 AM IST)
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has sparked a major industry debate after publicly confirming his decision to reject Ranveer Singh for the titular role in the upcoming ‘Shaktimaan’ film adaptation. Khanna, who famously portrayed the Indian superhero in the 1990s, revealed that his refusal is costing him “crores of rupees,” but he remains firm on his creative vision
Persona Over Popularity The project, a collaboration with Sony Pictures, has been in development for over two years. While the studio pushed for a bankable star like Singh—fresh off the success of his latest blockbuster Dhurandhar 2—Khanna insists that Shaktimaan requires a specific physical persona that transcends modern celebrity.
Ranveer is a terrific actor with great energy, but Shaktimaan is not just about acting; it’s about the face and the spirit,” Khanna stated in a recent interview. He further added that he even suggested Singh consider playing the antagonist ‘Tamraj Kilvish’ instead, a proposal that reportedly led to no consensus.
Financial Stakes vs. Creative Integrity
Khanna admitted that turning down Sony’s casting choice meant walking away from lucrative deals. However, he expressed a desire to find a “fresh face” through nationwide auditions, drawing parallels to how historical figures must look the part naturally rather than relying on “disco dramas” or artificial styling.
Box Office Roundup
In other news, the sci-fi rom-com Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) saw a massive 75% jump on its second Saturday, with worldwide collections crossing ₹52.22 crore. Meanwhile, Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit is inching closer to the ₹50 crore global milestone despite a sluggish start in the domestic market.
