Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna recently said he wouldn’t want to cast Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan in a new film version of the popular Doordarshan show. Now, in response, Surendra Pal, Khanna’s co-star from Shaktimaan and Mahabharat, has urged the former to reconsider that decision, saying, Singh could be a suitable choice for the role.
Surendra Pal, in an interview with the YouTube channel, Siddharth Kannan Official, was asked about Khanna’s concerns over the casting choice (for Shaktimaan), saying the iconic character requires a certain image and persona that should not be compromised.
Surendra Pal backs Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan
Pal reacted to Khanna’s remarks and said Khanna should reconsider his decision. The actor, who played Tamraj Kilvish in Shaktimaan, the TV series, said that Mukesh Khanna would not “compromise” because the show was his creation and he still treated the character like his own child.
He said, “He (Khanna) is the best judge; it is his creation. He will naturally want the best for his character, which he treats like his own child even today. That is why he will not compromise. He is very stubborn.”
Sharing his own view, Pal said Ranveer Singh was not a bad choice for the part and added that he had become an even bigger fan after Dhurandhar.
“Ranveer Singh is not a bad choice. I really like him, and after watching Dhurandhar, I have become an even bigger fan. I feel he could be ideal for the role. I think Mukesh ji should reconsider and broaden his thinking a little,” he added.
Khanna and Pal portrayed the characters of Bhishma Pitamah and Dronacharya, respectively, in BR Chopra’s television series Mahabharat (1988). While the former played the titular role of the superhero in Shaktimaan, Pal portrayed the antagonist, Tamraj Kilvish.
On casting Ranveer Singh as Shaktimaan
In an earlier interview with HT City, Khanna addressed whether his opinion about Singh 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.
“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 Dhurandhar worked, and 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,” he said. Khanna clarified that he is not against Ranveer’s performance at all.
“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 scheming). 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, and no positivity),” he added.
Keeping in mind all the hurdles, Khanna assured that the film would be announced soon.
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