In the history of Indian cinema, Mukesh Khanna is one of the few actors who have influenced both films and television. Throughout his remarkable acting career, he has portrayed a number of noteworthy roles, including the role of 'Bhishma Pitamah' in Mahabharat and the role of India's renowned superhero, 'Shaktimaan'. He made his acting debut in the 1981 film, Roohi. Mukesh Khanna doesn't think Ranveer is apt to play 'Shaktimaam'.
Mukesh Khanna created 'Shaktimaan', a character that will always be remembered, even decades after the TV series premiered in 1997. India's first superhero, 'Shaktimaan', is a figure that many people identify strongly with since it reminds them of their early and formative years. It was revealed a few years ago that Shaktimaan would be adapted into a movie. Although the primary actor for the title part was not confirmed, there were many suspicions that Ranveer Singh would be the character.
Later, though, there were rumours that Mukesh Khanna didn't think Ranveer was suitable for the role of 'Shaktimaan'. Actress, Vaishnavi Macdonald, who portrayed 'Geeta Viswas' on the show, reflected on this.
According to Vaishnavi Macdonald in an interview with Lallantop, there were preliminary discussions about reviving Shaktimaan in 2016-17, and the idea was ultimately transformed into a movie. On the other hand, this movie has been in production for a long time. She also stated that discussions on Ranveer Singh's involvement also occurred, and the project team met with him multiple times.
It was also mentioned that Mukesh Khanna, the original 'Shaktimaan', had his own opinions about the choice of actors, especially Ranveer Singh. According to Khanna, the character's essence should be reflected in the actor's own characteristics. The media have extensively covered his belief that Ranveer lacks the attributes needed for the position. In Vaishnavi Macdonald's words:
"I am talking about 2016-17, I was called for Shaktimaan. And then that project went into film. That film has also been in the making for a long time. This was about Ranveer Singh, there have been many meetings with him. This has also come in the news, so it is not hidden from anyone. His (Mukesh Khanna) view is that no, he does not think that Ranveer Singh is fit for this role. He feels that Shaktimaan's personal character should also reflect his onscreen character. This is what he believes."
Vaishnavi praised Ranveer Singh, highlighting how much she liked his performance. She made it clear that she is not siding with any side in the current debate, saying, "I like Ranveer Singh". She further said that he can play any part and has great acting skills.
On the other hand, she also clarified Mukesh Khanna's viewpoint on the subject, illuminating his opinions regarding the fuzziness of the boundaries between personal life, professional identity, and social media. An actor should exhibit traits that are consistent with the role they play, says Khanna. He thinks that an actor's character should be a reflection of his own personality, similar to how he changed from playing 'Pitama Bhishma' to 'Shaktimaan'. She explained:
"And in a way I want to tell you, I am not taking anyone's side... I like Ranveer Singh, I am his fan. His acting is great and he fits in any role. He is one of my favorite actors. But what I want to say is what is Mukesh ji's point of view in this thing, that nowadays there is a very thin line between social media, personal life and professional life. So you are what you reflect and all these things reflect on your personality. So he (Mukesh Khanna) wants to say that someone should be like him. He was Pitama Bhishma, then he transitioned to Shaktimaan."
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