Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of the superhero 'Shaktimaan', has once again made headlines for his candid views, while recently, the actor shared his thoughts on the upcoming reboot of the 'Shaktimaan' franchise and revealed the reasons behind his decision not to cast Ranveer Singh in the lead role. While Khanna praised Ranveer's acting prowess, he maintained that the character of Shaktimaan demands a specific persona that goes beyond mere acting skills.
Ranveer Singh's Talent vs. Character Requirements
In a conversation with Zoom, Mukesh Khanna lauded Ranveer Singh's energy and versatility. He stated, 'Look, my objection is that he's undoubtedly a great actor and possesses immense energy. He can perform roles like Dhurandhar, Gully Boy, or Khilji perfectly, while ' Khanna further explained that for Shaktimaan, an actor alone isn't enough; the project needs a face that naturally fits the character's essence.
The Prithviraj Chauhan and Akshay Kumar Analogy
To illustrate his point, Mukesh Khanna drew a comparison with historical portrayals in cinema. He mentioned the film 'Prithviraj Chauhan' and commented on Akshay Kumar's performance. 'For instance, when Prithviraj Chauhan stands before you, one must be convinced that he's indeed Prithviraj Chauhan, which Akshay Kumar failed to show in the film. He was wearing a fake mustache,' Khanna remarked. He believes that an actor with a pre-existing strong public image might struggle to embody the purity required for Shaktimaan.
Financial Implications and Disagreement with Sony
Khanna revealed that his firm stance on casting has led to significant financial consequences for him. He explained that Sony is ready to offer him a substantial amount of money and is keen on casting a 'star' for the project. 'Ultimately, I am the one bearing the loss,' Khanna said. 'I am turning down crores of rupees because Sony is ready to pay me that amount. ' He emphasized that he doesn't need a 'star' to revive the franchise.
Vision for a Fresh Face and Ranveer's Box Office Success
Regarding the future of the Shaktimaan reboot, Mukesh Khanna expressed his desire to conduct nationwide auditions to find the right person, while he stated, 'This would give us a young individual who is handsome, humble, and of good nature. ' Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is currently celebrating the massive success of 'Dhurandhar 2'. The film has broken all box office records to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, surpassing the 1700 crore mark globally.