Mukesh Khanna has again questioned whether Ranveer Singh should play Shaktimaan in a proposed big-screen adaptation, renewing a casting debate that has followed the project for years. In an interview discussed by The Indian Express, Khanna said he respects Singh’s acting ability but does not believe the actor fits his vision of the superhero’s image.

Khanna’s argument is about character identity rather than a general assessment of Singh’s career. He said a performer who has succeeded in roles such as Gully Boy, Khilji and Dhurandhar can still be wrong for Shaktimaan. He suggested Singh could be considered for Kilwish, an antagonist, while insisting that the title character needs a more openly positive screen presence.

The comments matter because Khanna played Shaktimaan in the television series that made the character a household name in India. His connection to the role gives him cultural authority in the conversation, but it does not automatically settle the film’s casting or production decisions. Sony Pictures announced a Shaktimaan film in 2022, yet the sources reviewed for this report did not show a final public cast announcement from the studio.

Khanna also said he had held back a cheque worth crores because he believed the project should not proceed without meaningful consultation about the character. NDTV reported the same claim and the actor’s position that money should not override his principles. Those are Khanna’s statements about his own decisions; they should not be presented as confirmation of a binding legal veto unless the parties publish the relevant contract or a court record.

The renewed interest is therefore less about a confirmed replacement actor and more about the creative control question surrounding a legacy superhero. A modern adaptation must balance the expectations of viewers who remember the original series with the scale, visual language and casting demands of a theatrical release. Khanna’s public comments show how strongly he believes the character’s moral image should guide that balance.

There is no verified casting announcement in the current reports that resolves the dispute. Ranveer Singh’s involvement remains part of the public discussion, while Khanna’s latest remarks explain why he continues to oppose that choice. Until Sony or the production team issues a formal update, the responsible headline is about Khanna’s rejection and the unresolved status of the film, not about a finalized Shaktimaan cast.