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Mukesh Khanna reveals he is losing crores while opposing Ranveer Singh’s casting as Shaktimaan despite praising his acting.
Mukesh Khanna says he is willing to lose crores as he continues to oppose Ranveer Singh’s casting as Shaktimaan.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has once again reiterated his opposition to Ranveer Singh playing the lead in the long-awaited film adaptation of Shaktimaan. However, this time, his stance comes with a layer of admiration for Singh’s acting prowess, especially after the success of Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
‘He Is a Terrific Actor, But…’
In a recent interview with Zoom, Khanna acknowledged Ranveer Singh’s versatility, praising his performances across films. “Although he is a terrific actor with great energy, he can do Dhurandhar, Gully Boy, and Khilji,” he said, referring to Singh’s wide-ranging roles.
Despite this, Khanna maintained that portraying Shaktimaan requires something beyond acting ability. “You need not just the actor but also the face,” he explained, stressing that the character demands a certain visual and moral presence that cannot be easily replicated.
Drawing a comparison, he added that even historical figures must look convincing on screen, referencing Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Prithviraj Chauhan. “A historical figure like Prithviraj Chauhan should look the part, which Akshay Kumar did not in the film despite the costume and wig,” Khanna said, adding that when he played such roles, preparation would take hours.
‘I Am Losing Crores, But…’
Khanna also revealed that his firm opposition could come at a significant financial cost. With Sony Pictures reportedly keen to move forward with the project, he admitted that he may be turning down a lucrative deal.
“It is my loss. I am losing crores as Sony is ready to offer me that amount. But I said, wait, I don’t want this casting,” he said.
Khanna emphasised that he would prefer a fresh face over an established star. “They want a star, I don’t. If allowed, I would conduct nationwide auditions to find someone who truly embodies Shaktimaan—good-looking, simple, and kind. For me, no actor with an established image can become Shaktimaan.”
Meeting Ranveer Singh Didn’t Change His Mind
The actor also recalled meeting Ranveer Singh in the past, in a discussion arranged by Sony Pictures. According to Khanna, Singh had tried to convince him that he could take on the role.
“It was an arranged meeting organised by Sony, where Ranveer came to convince me that he could play Shaktimaan. This wasn’t the first time he showed interest,” Khanna said.
However, the meeting did not lead to any breakthrough. Khanna even suggested an alternative casting idea, proposing that Singh could play Tamraj Kilvish, the iconic antagonist from the original series. The conversation, ultimately, ended without any resolution.
April 19, 2026, 14:06 IST
