The debate over who will play the iconic Indian superhero Shaktimaan on the big screen has dragged on for years, largely fueled by the original star, Mukesh Khanna. With the veteran actor repeatedly taking public jabs at frontrunner Ranveer Singh, his co-star from the classic TV show, Lalit Parimoo, has now suggested that the entire drama might be a well-orchestrated publicity tactic .
‘It is a Gimmick’
In a recent interview, Parimoo, who played the villainous Dr. Jackal in the original series, openly doubted the authenticity of the ongoing feud. When asked about Khanna’s insistence that Ranveer is unsuitable for the role, Parimoo dismissed it as a promotional strategy.
“It is a gimmick. It’s good for publicity, so he keeps doing that,” Parimoo told Hindustan Times, implying that the repeated controversies are merely a tactic to keep the dormant franchise in the news .
The Long-Standing Feud
Parimoo’s comments come amid a long-standing war of words. Although Sony Pictures announced a film trilogy in 2022 and director Basil Joseph has reportedly been attached to the project for years , Khanna—who retains certain intellectual property rights—has consistently blocked the casting of the Rocky Aur Rani… star.
Khanna has often cited Ranveer’s 2022 nude photoshoot as the primary reason for his “aversion” to the actor, stating that such an image does not align with the pure, righteous values of the superhero he created . Despite Ranveer’s reported attempts to convince Khanna during a three-hour meeting, the veteran remains firm that the actor has “negativity on his face” and would be better suited to playing the villain, Kilvish .
‘Give the Show a Chance’
Parimoo suggested that Mukesh Khanna should step back and let the new generation take over. “Mukesh ji… you are the producer, you are the creator, you have to take it forward. Let the new generation take over. Why are you not giving them a chance? Give the show a chance,” he urged.
He added that the essence of the character lies in its values—qualities that remain intact regardless of which actor wears the costume. “The character should be carried forward, why are you stopping it? You are the producer, you get a good actor, why can’t you go with him?” he questioned .
A Pattern of Denials
It is worth noting that the controversy seems to be largely one-sided. While Mukesh Khanna has generated headlines for years rejecting Ranveer, the actor himself has remained professionally silent on the matter, focusing instead on his successes like the Dhurandhar franchise.
Furthermore, Khanna has previously deleted a viral video in which he slammed Ranveer’s casting, adding to the speculation that the back-and-forth might be more about staying relevant than actual casting logistics .
For now, the future of the Shaktimaan reboot remains uncertain, caught between the original star’s nostalgic intransigence and the industry’s push for a contemporary leading man.
