The debate around Shaktimaan’s big-screen return refuses to slow down, and now another familiar face from the original show has stepped into the conversation. Veteran actor Surendra Pal has shared his thoughts on the ongoing casting controversy involving Ranveer Singh and original Shaktimaan star Mukesh Khanna. While Mukesh has repeatedly opposed Ranveer taking over the superhero mantle, Surendra appears to feel the actor deserves a fair chance.
For the last few years, the proposed Shaktimaan film adaptation has remained stuck in uncertainty largely because of disagreements around casting. Ranveer Singh’s name has been linked to the role for a long time, but Mukesh Khanna has openly resisted the idea, arguing that the character needs someone with a clean and simple public image rather than an already established superstar. His comments divided fans online, especially because many younger viewers actually seemed curious to see what Ranveer could do with the iconic superhero role.
Now Surendra Pal, who was also part of the original Shaktimaan television universe, has offered a different perspective during a recent appearance on a YouTube interview with Sidharth Kannan. Speaking about Mukesh Khanna’s strong opposition, Surendra acknowledged that Mukesh is deeply emotionally attached to the character because he created and shaped it himself during the 1990s television era. At the same time though, he hinted that Mukesh may be holding too tightly onto his vision and should perhaps rethink his stance.
Surendra explained that Mukesh naturally wants the best for Shaktimaan because he treats the character almost like his own child even today. He described Mukesh as extremely stubborn but also praised his passion and commitment toward protecting the legacy of the superhero. Still, Surendra admitted he personally likes Ranveer Singh as an actor and feels the casting could actually work surprisingly well. He even mentioned that after watching Ranveer’s upcoming project Dhurandhar, he became an even bigger admirer of the actor’s abilities.
Interestingly, Surendra’s comments didn’t sound confrontational toward Mukesh at all. Instead, the actor carefully balanced both respect and disagreement. He praised Mukesh Khanna’s legendary portrayal of Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat and said very few actors could have brought the same natural intensity to that role. According to him, Mukesh remains a deeply passionate performer whose dedication deserves respect even when people disagree with his opinions.
The larger issue here is actually bigger than just one casting decision. Shaktimaan carries enormous nostalgia value in India because it wasn’t just another TV show. When it originally aired on Doordarshan between 1997 and 2005, it became the country’s defining homegrown superhero phenomenon. Long before India seriously entered the superhero genre space with modern VFX-heavy productions, Shaktimaan had already become a cultural obsession for an entire generation of kids.
The series followed Mukesh Khanna in a dual role as both the superhero Shaktimaan and his awkward alter ego Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri. The contrast between the clumsy journalist and the spiritually powerful superhero became one of the show’s most memorable hooks. Alongside Mukesh, actors like Kitu Gidwani, Vaishnavi Mahant, Tom Alter, and Surendra Pal himself helped turn the series into a massive television success.
Mukesh Khanna recently admitted that his refusal to finalize the casting is even costing him crores financially because studios are eager to move ahead with the project. In earlier interviews, he revealed that Sony was ready to push the film forward, but he refused because he did not agree with using a major star. Instead, Mukesh argued that he would rather hold nationwide auditions and discover a fresh face who naturally embodies simplicity, kindness, and innocence — qualities he believes are essential for Shaktimaan.
His biggest concern reportedly remains Ranveer Singh’s larger-than-life off-screen persona. Mukesh has repeatedly suggested that an actor who already carries a strong public image may struggle to fully disappear into the spiritually grounded identity of Shaktimaan. That opinion sparked heavy debate online because Ranveer himself is known for intense commitment to roles and dramatic physical transformations. Many fans believe his energy and unpredictability could actually bring a modern edge to the character.
At the same time, others understand Mukesh Khanna’s hesitation because Shaktimaan was never just about flashy powers or superhero action. The original show strongly focused on morality, discipline, spirituality, and social lessons for children. Mukesh clearly wants the reboot to preserve those emotional and ethical foundations instead of turning the character into a generic commercial superhero.
Right now, the future of the film still remains uncertain, but the conversation itself shows how emotionally connected audiences still are to Shaktimaan nearly three decades later. And honestly, that nostalgia may end up becoming both the film’s biggest strength and its biggest challenge. Whoever eventually steps into the costume will automatically face comparisons to one of Indian television’s most iconic childhood heroes.
