Seasoned actor Mukesh Khanna will once again play the role of India's legendary 1990s superhero Shaktimaan, but this time using the instrument of voice. The iconic character is being revived in a new form through an original audio series on Pocket FM.
This new interpretation of Shaktimaan will introduce new stories and exciting adventures to fans, with Mukesh Khanna providing voice to the iconic superhero, rekindling the heritage for a new generation.
"Shaktimaan's not a show, it's a feeling that resonates in the hearts of millions," asserted Mukesh. What he is most looking forward to in the project is, "I am excited to come back as the voice of the beloved hero and connect with a new generation of listeners. The platform gives a wonderful opportunity to bring Shaktimaan's values, strength, and superpowers to a new generation of children, but in new stories to today's youth in a format they enjoy."
First broadcast on DD National between 1997 and 2005, Shaktimaan was written as well as produced by Mukesh Khanna. He played the superhero title character, whose powers were gained through rigorous meditation and the five elements of nature. His regular human persona, Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, was a photographer for the fictional newspaper Aaj Ki Aawaz. The series also featured Vaishnavi Mahant (originally Kitu Gidwani) as journalist Geeta Vishwas, and Surendra Pal as the negative Tamraj Kilvish.
Lauded for its robust moral content and cultural impact on kids, Shaktimaan turned into a phenomenon, with Mukesh gaining compliments from different political leaders for his effective portrayal. The franchise moved to the animated series *Shaktimaan: The Animated Series* in 2011 and the TV movie *Hamara Hero Shaktimaan* in 2013. In 2024, Mukesh created buzz among fans with a teaser that spoke of the superhero's comeback.
Rohan Nayak, CEO and Co-Founder at Pocket Entertainment, expressed his excitement: "To bring Shaktimaan to audio is a moment of pride for us. It's the ideal case of how a legacy can be brought together with the strength of contemporary storytelling. Working with Mukesh Khanna to revive India's most legendary superhero, who defined an entire generation, is more than nostalgia.". It's a courageous move toward creating a rich sci-fi and fantasy audio space, something that has seldom been tried in the Indian narrative ecosystem.
The new audio series, created in association with Mukesh's firm and Bheeshma International, is all set to bring a whole new adventure to a new world. With a new story and voice-based narration, this resurrection is set to revitalize the magic of Shaktimaan—one of India's longest-running pop culture icons.
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