Lalit Parimoo finally weighs in on the Shaktimaan casting controversy
The never-ending drama around the Shaktimaan film just got a fresh dose of reality. Original series star Lalit Parimoo has finally spoken up about the heated debate over Ranveer Singh potentially playing the iconic superhero, and he’s not mincing words. In a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan, Parimoo suggested that the entire controversy might be nothing more than a well-orchestrated publicity stunt.
Parimoo, who played Dr Jaikaal in the beloved 90s TV show, didn’t take sides but dropped some serious truth bombs about how the industry works today. He said, “Aaj ka zamana publicity ka zamana hai aur log karte hain publicity gimmicks filmon ke liye, tv show pe karte hain. Jaan booj ke news banane ke liye kuch karna padta hai.” Translation: This is the age of publicity, and people do these gimmicks for films and TV shows. You have to do something deliberately to make news.
The actor made it clear that only those directly involved know the real story, and time will eventually reveal what actually went down behind the scenes. But his sharp observation has added a whole new layer to the already spicy debate surrounding one of India’s most beloved superhero characters.
Mukesh Khanna’s strong opposition to Ranveer Singh
For those who’ve been living under a rock, Mukesh Khanna — the original Shaktimaan — has been very vocal about his disapproval of Ranveer Singh stepping into the superhero’s boots. In multiple interviews, Khanna has revealed that Ranveer did approach him to discuss the role, but he just couldn’t see the Gully Boy star as the righteous superhero. Khanna even went as far as suggesting that Ranveer might be better suited for a negative role rather than playing the iconic character.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Parimoo actually praised Ranveer’s talent during the conversation, calling him a capable actor who could potentially pull off a character like Shaktimaan. He specifically mentioned Ranveer’s performance in Dhurandhar as proof of his range. However, Parimoo did express doubts about whether a big-screen adaptation could ever recreate the same emotional connection that the original television series built over its long run.
Sony Pictures had announced a Shaktimaan film trilogy back in 2022 with grand plans to bring the superhero to the big screen. But since then, the project has been stuck in development limbo, with casting debates and creative differences keeping it in the headlines more than any actual production updates.
Nostalgia factor and the future of Shaktimaan
Shaktimaan remains a cultural phenomenon that defined childhoods for an entire generation. The show, directed by Dinker Jani, featured Mukesh Khanna as both Shaktimaan and his bumbling alter ego Gangadhar. Vaishnavi Mahant and Kitu Gidwani played the iconic Geeta Vishwas, while Surendra Pal’s Tamraj Kilvish remains one of Indian television’s most memorable villains. Lalit Parimoo’s Dr Jaikaal added depth to the epic battle between good and evil.
The show continues to enjoy massive nostalgia value and is currently streaming on Prime Video, introducing a whole new generation to the superhero who taught us “Shaktimaan, duniya ko insaaf chahiye”. As for the film, industry insiders suggest that the casting drama might just be the tip of the iceberg, with more developments expected once the project finally moves into active production.
For now, fans are left wondering: Will Ranveer Singh actually become Shaktimaan, or is this all just a publicity gimmick, as Parimoo suggests? Only time — and maybe another round of interviews — will tell.