Even after Dhurandhar, Mukesh Khanna is against Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan

Mukesh Khanna said he still does not see Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan despite praising his work in Dhurandhar. He said the role needs a face that reflects the superhero's image, even as the film remains in the works.

In Short

• Mukesh Khanna shared reasons behind his objections to Ranveer Singh playing Shaktimaan
• He praised Ranveer's recent work but said the character demands positivity
• Khanna remarked the actor could suit the villain better than the superhero

Following the success of Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, Mukesh Khanna was asked about his views on Ranveer Singh potentially playing Shaktimaan. While Ranveer’s name has been linked to the upcoming project, Khanna made it clear that he does not see the actor in the role.

In a conversation with HT City, Khanna addressed whether his opinion had changed after watching Dhurandhar, which he had praised. He clarified that he is not looking for a “big star” for the role, but rather someone whose persona aligns with the character’s image.

Mukesh Khanna against Ranveer Singh as Shaktiman

“Mujhe manane mein lage hue hain sab, ki Dhurandhar chal gayi, ab toh Ranveer Singh bohot bada actor ban gaya (Everyone is trying to convince me that the Dhurandhar is over, now Ranveer Singh has become a big actor). I don't want a very big actor or star for Shaktimaan. I want an image for Shaktimaan that was not with Ranveer, which is why I took a stand against it. I am not against his performance,” he said.

Khanna further shared his reasons for objecting to the same and said, ‘Woh Alauddin Khilji kar sakta hai, Gully Boy kar chuka hai, woh Dhurandhar kar gaya bohot achha, maine taareef bhi ki (He can do Alauddin Khilji, he has done Gully Boy, he did Dhurandhar very well, I even praised him). But for me, to become Shaktimaan, one does not just need to be an actor, but also needs a face. The face should suit Shaktimaan. Mera objection sirf yahi hai ki uski aankhon mein Shaktimaan dikhna chahiye, woh khada ho toh woh scheming nahi dikhna chahiye (My only objection is that his eyes should look powerful, when he is standing, he should not look skimming). I can sign Ranveer for Kilvish (the villain), not for Shaktimaan. Negativity hai face par, positivity nahi hai uske face par (There is negativity on his face, there is no positivity on his face).

While talking about the film, Khanna said, “Aa raha hai, aana chahiye. Rukawat ke liye khed hai (It's coming, it should be coming. Sorry to interrupt). Everybody knows what a speed-breaker is. Everyone knows what my objection is.”

Mukesh Khanna against Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana Part 1

Beyond his stance on Ranveer's casting in Shaktimaan, Khanna has also voiced his disapproval of Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part 1.

“Teaser se baat nahi banti. Teaser kabhi kabhi misleading hota hai. Humesha hum best foot forward karte hain (Teasers don't work. Teasers are sometimes misleading. We always put our best foot forward).

When a boy and a girl are dating, they put their best foot forward. Par asliyat shaadi ke baad maalum padhti hai. Poori film bolegi. Adipurush film boli thi. (But the truth is revealed after marriage. The entire film will speak). I can’t form my opinion on a teaser.”

Also starring Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Ramayana Part 1 is slated to release in theatres this Diwali. Its sequel, Ramayana: Part 2, is expected to arrive the following year, on Diwali 2027.

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