'Ranveer Se Shaktimaan Cheen Li...': Mukesh Khanna Trolled For Reprising Role In 'Retirement Age'

Shaktimaan was a popular 90s Indian TV show centred on a man with a double life, one of a boring regular guy and one who had superpowers to fight evil and save mankind. The show discontinued airing in 2005. However, earlier reports circulated that Ranveer Singh might reprise the role of Shaktimaan with a potential film. Now, at 66, Shaktimaan's original hero Mukesh Khanna has announced his return as the superhero, donning the iconic red suit. However, his announcement faced backlash and became the target of online trolling.

Mukesh Khanna announces his return as Shakitmaan

On November 11, Mukesh Khanna announced his return as Shaktimaan, donning the original costume after 19 years. Speaking to ANI, he said, “This is a costume within me…I think personally too, in my mind, this costume has come from within me…I did well in Shaktimaan because it came from within me…Acting is all about confidence. I forget about the camera when I am shooting…I am even happier than the others about becoming Shaktimaan again.”

“I am carrying out my duty that I started in 1997 and which went on till 2005. I think that my work should reach the public in 2027 because today’s generation is running blindly. They have to be stopped and told to catch their breath…" Khanna added.

Netizens troll Mukesh Khanna

As the news made it online, netizens couldn’t stop trolling him with many calling out his self-obsession. One user wrote, “Imagine after a few bouts of the fight, shaktiman being admitted to Max Hospital.” Another wrote, “Don’t ruin Shaktiman pls, don’t do it.”

“Dude is stuck in the past. Someone should speak sense to him," wrote a social media user. 

It even led to threads on Reddit with many joining in to call Mukesh “delusional”. One Reddit user wrote, “This guy has lost it!!!! Shaktimaan was a fond memory for many of us, now it is on track to turn into a nightmare!"

Some advised him to move on and wrote, “He could have done a cameo or someone who advised the new Shaktiman from time to time so that his ego can be satisfied too.” There are speculations that the show might get remade in the movie version starring Ranveer Singh, though nothing has been made official.