Mukesh Khanna 'can sign' 'Dhurandhar 2' Ranveer Singh for playing Kilvish and not ‘Shaktimaan’: 'Negativity hai face par'

After ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ struck gold at the box office, fans are asking what’s next for Ranveer Singh. The actor made waves with news of the ‘Shaktimaan’ reboot, but Mukesh Khanna, the legendary 90s star, has publicly slammed the casting choice.

Mukesh Khanna on Ranveer Singh for ‘Shaktimaan’

In a Hindustan Times interview, when asked if ‘Dhurandhar’ changed his view on Ranveer, after giving the Aditya Dhar film high praise, Mukesh clarified, “Mujhe manane mein lage hue hain sab, ki Dhurandhar chal gayi, ab toh Ranveer Singh bohot bada actor ban gaya. I don't want a very big actor for 'Shaktimaan', I don't want a 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. Woh Alauddin Khilji kar sakta hai, 'Gully Boy' kar chuka hai, woh 'Dhurandhar' kar gaya bohot achha, maine taareef bhi ki. 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. I can sign Ranveer for Kilvish (the villain), not for Shaktimaan.

Negativity hai face par, positivity nahi hai uske face par.” (Everyone is trying to convince me that now that Dhurandhar has become a big actor, Ranveer Singh has become a big actor. I don't want a very big actor for Shaktimaan, I don't want a 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 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. My only objection is that Shaktimaan should be visible in his eyes, he should not be seen scheming when he stands. I can sign Ranveer for Kilvish (the villain), not for Shaktimaan. There is negativity on is face, not positivity)

Mukesh Khanna critiques Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Ramayana’

Apart from opposing Ranveer’s casting in ‘Shaktimaan’, Mukesh has also made no secret of his disapproval of Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Part 1’.

Speaking about the teaser, Mukesh said, “Teaser se baat nahi banti. Teaser kabhi kabhi misleading hota hai. Humesha hum best foot forward karte hain. When a boy and girl are dating, they put their best foot forward. Par asliyat shaadi ke baad maalum padhti hai.

Poori film bolegi. Adipurush film boli thi. I can’t form my opinion on a teaser.” (Teasers don't make things happen. 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. But the reality is revealed after marriage. The entire film will speak. The film Adipurush spoke. I can't form my opinion on a teaser.)

‘Ramayana’ cast and release schedule

Featuring Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ is scheduled for a Diwali theatrical release this year. ‘Ramayana: Part 2’ will follow next year during Diwali 2027.