“Tiger Shroff lacks the stature to play Shaktimaan": Mukesh Khanna explains his rejection

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic portrayal of Shaktimaan, has firmly rejected Tiger Shroff for the role of the legendary superhero. This comes after Khanna had previously turned down Ranveer Singh for the same role. In a recent statement, Khanna explained why Tiger Shroff does not fit the bill for the character and why the search for a new face to play Shaktimaan is still ongoing.Khanna Criticises Tiger Shroff's Stature for ShaktimaanMukesh Khanna, who is set to revive the Shaktimaan series with a new actor, made it clear that he does not believe Tiger Shroff has the necessary aura to play the superhero. "Forgive me, but if Tiger Shroff tells a child to flush the toilet as Shaktimaan, the kid will turn around and say to him, ‘Tu baith jaa,'" Khanna remarked during an interview with ABP Live.Khanna further elaborated on his reasons for rejecting Shroff, stating that the actor still has the image of a "child" in the eyes of younger audiences, which makes it difficult for kids to take him seriously in such a powerful role. "He doesn’t have the stature that one needs to play Shaktimaan, who had a gravity not because of me, but because of the character that he is. Shaktimaan isn’t a brainless brawler. He has seriousness, he is wise. He is an evolved person, for God’s sake," Khanna asserted.Shaktimaan's Role Demands Gravitas, Not Just ActionThe actor explained that Shaktimaan was never meant to be like other superheroes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character or Iron Man. "Shaktimaan's costume is created by combining the five elements. You can imagine the power he wields, and I don’t want someone who doesn’t have the required stature playing him," Khanna asserted. The actor believes that Shaktimaan’s gravitas comes from the character’s wisdom and depth, not just from physical strength or action sequences.Ranveer Singh Also Rejected for Shaktimaan RoleThis isn't the first time Khanna has rejected a big name for the role of Shaktimaan. In 2022, reports surfaced claiming that Ranveer Singh was being considered to play the role in a film based on the superhero. However, Khanna raised strong objections to the idea, stating that he did not feel Singh was right for the role. Despite personal requests from Ranveer Singh, Khanna did not permit him to portray Shaktimaan, leading to the shelving of the project.Also Read: Mukesh Khanna aka Shaktimaan takes a dig at Akshay Kumar playing Prithviraj Chauhan; says, “Sirf muche aur wig lagaake thodi na ban sakte hai?”