Producer-actor Mukesh Khanna talks about Shaktimaan's return, whether he will be a part of the film and his acting career.
Popular TV character Shaktimaan will be back. But this time the superhero will be seen in a film and not a TV show. Mukesh Khanna, who played Shaktimaan for many years, shares details about the film and also talks to us about his acting careerand what he thinks about television as a medium. Excerpts from a chat...
'I feel relieved that I could keep my promise to my fans'
Mukesh Khanna says he is happy that things have fallen into place and the film on Shaktimaan will soon be made. He says, "I had promised my fans that something like this would come. More than being happy, I am relieved that I could share the news with them. We were working on it, but I was waiting for the right time to make an announcement. I had earlier mentioned that a movie will be made on this. I feel relieved that I could keep my promise to my fans and we are now making the film on Shaktiman."
Will he be part of the film?
Whether Mukesh Khanna will be a part of the film or not is still unclear. Mention this to him and he says,"This is something that I still cannot disclose. I am attached to the film and will be involved in the making. Now in what capacity I will be part of the film will be decided later. Many things like casting, direction etc.. are still being firmed up."
'I am fortunate to have played Bhishma and Shaktimaan'
The veteram actor has played two iconic characters on TV - Bhishma and Shaktimaan. Talking about his acting career, he says, "My career has been different from others. While I'm part of this industry, I'm still not part of it because I don't go to parties or go and ask for work from producers. Whoever finds me apt for a role contacts me and I listen to the script and then decide. I have turned down more projects than what I have taken up. I have many ifs and buts when it comes to choosing work, but that's how it has been. But I am fortunate to have played Bhishma and Shaktimaan. These are two iconic characters of mine which will stay with me always."
Would he take up a role on TV today if he is offered a good one?
He loves his craft and if a good role comes by, he will consider it. "I want to get an offer that I cannot refuse. If I am happy with the work then I'll work on any medium. So, if there is something interesting that suits me, then I would do a film, OTT or TV. I have an image of Shaktimaan and of Bhishma, which I have to maintain. I respect that, so I won't do any negative role which breaks that image," he says.
How TV has changed over the years?
He has been a part of showbiz for 40 years now and has seen things change. Comparing current content on television to that of the last, he says, "I feel the quality of content on TV has deteriorated. Also, now the serials are only women- centric because they think only women want to watch TV. This is incorrect, it's a wrong assumption. Some show have women in certain vampish roles and they are given a certain look... I don't think such women exist in our society."
'Shaktimaan will retain its originality and the essence will not change even in the film'
On the work front, right now he is focussing on Shaktimaan. He says, "He is the biggest superhero in the world because the kind of powers he has, no other superhero has. Shaktimaan will remain the same, things around him will change. It will be made on a higher scale and keeping today's scenario in mind. Shaktimaan will retain its originality and the essence will not change even in the film."