The wait of millions of fans is over as Mukesh Khanna is finally back in his Shaktimaan avatar. The iconic character is set to be revived with an all-new 40-episode audio series named Shaktimaan Returns. Just like the classic original, it is backed by none other than the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, Mukesh Khanna.
Shaktimaan Returns
In the latest audio series, Shaktimaan is on a mission that goes beyond battling evil. He faces an enemy unlike any before, and fights against humanity’s own greed and its reckless exploitation of nature. His nemesis, Mahatatva, who was once a guardian of balance, has now turned into a corrupted force determined to restore Earth’s harmony by any means necessary. Shaktimaan embarks on a quest to collect five mystical jewels to save the world and discover that true power lies in compassion, not destruction.
Shaktimaan Returns is now streaming exclusively on Pocket FM. The series defines India’s most loved superhero for the new generation, blending nostalgia, purpose, and cinematic sound design to create an immersive storytelling experience. It runs for bout 10 hours and features the beloved characters – Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba.
Rohan Nayak, CEO and Co-founder of Pocket FM, says, “For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in. Bringing him back wasn’t about rebooting the `90s; it was about showing how timeless Indian heroes can be when told through a modern style of storytelling and with a new storyline. For decades, the world has looked to the U.S for its superheroes, from caped crusaders to cinematic universes. But India has its own legends, its own heroes shaped by our values and imagination. Shaktimaan brings a refreshing shift with an Indian superhero who stands for purpose, balance, and moral strength. We’re thrilled to bring him to Pocket FM, and this is just the beginning as we continue to create and reimagine more superheroes for our audiences. Audio is one of the most powerful storytelling mediums, and this project demonstrates how classic Indian IPs can evolve with technology and reach new audiences globally.”
Notably, to celebrate the launch, Pocket FM shared a hilarious brand campaign featuring Bollywood’s most notorious villains of the 90`s including Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and the original Shaktimaan villain, Surendra Pal, who appear in full panic mode after discovering Shaktimaan is back.
Mukesh Khanna reacts
Undoubtedly, the revival is an emotional moment for the man who first gave India its superhero, Mukesh Khanna, the original Shaktimaan. Sharing his thoughts, Mukesh said, “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds. These values are timeless. When Pocket FM approached me, I was curious to see how those ideals would come alive through audio. But the way they’ve reimagined it, with a fresh storyline while preserving the soul of Shaktimaan, truly moved me. I doubt if any other production house could have done such justice to the character. I’m glad to see that the essence of Shaktimaan is alive and speaking to a new generation in a new voice.”
Created by Mukesh Khanna, “Shaktimaan” aired on DD National from 13 September 1997 to 27 March 2005. He was seen as both Shaktimaan and his alter ego “Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri”, a photographer for the newspaper “Aaj Ki Aawaz”.
Shaktimaan was shown as a human who has successfully gained superhuman powers through meditation, aligning himself with the five elements of nature: Space, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Actress Kitu Gidwani, who was later replaced by Vaishnavi Mahant, played the role of Geeta Vishwas, a reporter who has fallen in love with Shaktimaan. The primary cast of the drama also included Surendra Pal, who essayed the role of Tamraj Kilvish.
(With inpuits from IANS)