During this interview, Mukesh Khanna, finest recognized for taking part in Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat and the long-lasting superhero Shaktimaan, makes it clear that his journey has at all times been on his phrases. Describing himself as a “dramatic actor,” he shared that he has acted in solely 60 movies, waited almost eight years earlier than his breakout position, and by no means chased fame or work. “God has given me numerous safety… I’ve by no means been over-ambitious,” he stated. Now, as he steps into Gujarati cinema for the primary time, the veteran actor opens up about taking part in India’s OG superhero, why Shaktimaan can’t be in comparison with the Avengers, his views on Gen Z, and the disciplined life-style he has lived by for many years. Learn the edited excerpts under.
Mukesh Khanna: My journey has been as per my phrases. I dwell and work at my very own expense. No matter I’ve finished so far has been at my very own expense. So, I’m not a struggler who will go to a celebration and ask for a movie position. I’ve by no means requested anybody for something. No matter I’ve bought, God has given. So, my journey has been very good; it’s greater than I might have requested for.
Q. You’ve additionally witnessed the trade change considerably. What stands out to you?
Mukesh Khanna: The trade has modified drastically. Earlier, scripts got here first, after which actors have been forged. Right this moment, when you get an enormous star, the script is written round them. Again then, there was extra honesty in storytelling. For instance, Zanjeer went to seven actors earlier than Amitabh Bachchan bought it. As of late, the celebrities are a bit of oriented, and the content material is getting overwhelmed up a bit of, which may be very unhappy. I say so as a result of it’s at all times the script – whether or not it was Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat or Shaktimaan – and never Mukesh Khanna who made these widespread. Someplace, I really feel that the worth of writers, who ought to be paid greater than the celebrities, has decreased.
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Additionally, the environment was totally different. Earlier, there was a family-like vibe. Individuals would sit collectively and eat on the ground. Now it’s all vans and isolation. Groupism has additionally taken over. The main target has shifted, and that has affected the spirit of filmmaking.
Q. The one factor you miss probably the most out of your heyday?
Mukesh Khanna: My heyday was within the 80s, and it continues. I used to be in Mahabharat in 1989, and in movies earlier than that. I’ve by no means been a downer. God has given me numerous safety. I used to be born in Mumbai, at all times had a roof over my head. I’m BSE, LLB, after which studied at FTII. I’m not overambitious. If I’m good, the makers will name me. However I also needs to want them, it’s then that I get pleasure from working. I’ve lived in response to my requirements. I haven’t missed something. Nonetheless, I might need turn into a plastic engineer, if I hadn’t turn into an actor. However I didn’t get admission there, and selected performing.
Q. Inform us about Vishwaguru, your debut in Gujarati cinema. What drew you to the venture?
Mukesh Khanna: I normally don’t do regional movies, barring just a few in Punjabi and Marathi. If I don’t have command over a language, I don’t get pleasure from performing. I like delivering my very own traces. My dialogues are good as a result of I don’t throw them away, I don’t swallow them both. Even right now, I bear in mind 20–25 dialogues from Mahabharat.
Once I was first approached for this movie, I declined as a result of I can’t communicate Gujarati fluently. However when the director stated my dialogues could be in Hindi, I agreed to listen to the script. I discovered the position significant; it addresses the issues affecting our youth right now. I play a bureau chief appointed by the federal government to sort out these points. It’s a robust movie, and for a Gujarati manufacturing, the size is commendable.
Q. Is that this character totally different from what you’ve finished earlier than?
Mukesh Khanna: You may’t say it’s one thing out of the world. However I’ve used my persona to essay the half. I’m not a kind of actors who fully get into the position, like Irrfan Khan or Nawazuddin Siddiqui. I’m a dramatic actor, and use my physique, language, and voice, and that was precisely what the position wanted.
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Q. What do you search for in a task? How essential is private resonance?
Mukesh Khanna: Crucial factor is what I’m doing within the movie. Not the cash, not the producer. As soon as, I even turned down a Hollywood movie as a result of they wouldn’t inform me the story or my position. They simply stated, “Ship us your portfolio.” I replied, “Ship me the script first –– what am I doing?” That’s how I’m.
I have to know what I shall be doing within the movie. I don’t care who’s large or well-known in entrance of me. I’ve finished three movies with Dilip Sir, Rajkumar Sir. For me, what issues most is my position. That’s my standards. That’s additionally why you see me in fewer movies. In my total profession, I’ve finished solely 60 movies.
Mukesh Khanna as Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat. (Specific archive picture)
Q. You’re India’s authentic superhero. What makes Shaktimaan nonetheless related for Gen Z?
Mukesh Khanna: Shaktimaan is like Ramayana or Mahabharat — you can not change its essence. I’ve spent the final 4 years engaged on the reboot with Sony Worldwide, and casting the brand new Shaktimaan is a vital determination. He should look sincere and pure.
Individuals say, “The Avengers have come; improve Shaktimaan’s powers.” I say no. Shaktimaan’s powers come from his internal power, not devices. Iron Man and Spider-Man are earthly creations. Shaktimaan is rooted in Indian values.
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Sure, we are going to modernise the presentation – the look, the devices – however the soul of Shaktimaan will keep the identical. If we deliver it again right now, it received’t compete with the Avengers. It is going to compete with the unique Shaktimaan. Right this moment’s children want him greater than ever. They’re misplaced in a digital world. If I have been to make it right now, I’d present the cell phone because the villain within the very first episode. The threats have modified, however Shaktimaan’s values stay timeless.
Q. Being an actor isn’t any simple feat. You’re in fixed limelight, the whole lot you say turns into information. In such a situation, how do you guarantee to deal with your psychological well being, and the way do you keep true to your self?
Mukesh Khanna: I’ve by no means believed in reaching issues by hook or criminal. I waited eight years earlier than Mahabharat made me a star. I had already acted in 15 movies, some flopped, some didn’t. However I by no means chased fame or requested for work.
Possibly God gave me the power to attend. I’ve at all times advised folks: “Give me a proposal I can’t refuse.” That’s my model of the well-known Marlon Brando line. I’ve guidelines — I received’t play a villain, I received’t shave my beard, I received’t do romantic scenes. Take me as I’m, or don’t. That’s what retains me mentally sturdy.
Individuals typically say, “Sir, you speak an excessive amount of. Nobody provides you with movies.” And I reply, “Then I’ll make my very own.” That’s the perspective I carry.
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Q. Health is a crucial a part of general well being. How do you deal with your bodily well being (weight loss program, exercises and many others)
Mukesh Khanna: I’m a strict vegetarian. I’ve by no means had even a sip of beer — by no means smoked, by no means tried a cigarette. It isn’t troublesome for me to keep up self-discipline. I additionally practise yoga and strongly advocate for it. Overlook the whole lot else, do yoga, meditate, do pranayama. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years.
Yoga takes care of the physique and the thoughts. And it’s the thoughts that creates restlessness. Management the thoughts, management your breath, and also you’ll discover steadiness. I really imagine that in the event you train within the morning, the day belongs to you. I dwell by that.
Q. Is there a task you want to essay on display screen/any new age actor you want to work with?
Mukesh Khanna: Truthfully, I’ve by no means had such needs. I by no means idolised anybody. I didn’t dream of working with anybody. But, I performed Dilip Kumar’s son. I did three movies with Raj Kumar. Shah Rukh Khan as soon as performed my son. Karisma Kapoor and Akshay Kumar each debuted in movies with me.
So no, there’s no explicit ambition. What I want is for folks to really feel the will to work with me.
