Mukesh Khanna is a veteran Indian actor and producer who gained immense popularity for his iconic portrayal of the superhero Shaktimaan in the late 1990s. His career spans several decades, and he has left a significant impact on both the television and film industries.
However, his straightforward and sometimes varied statements on religion, and God, amongst others, make him a figure who remains in the public eye for reasons beyond his legendary role as Shaktimaan.
Mukesh Khanna has made headlines for his controversial remarks over the years, including criticisms directed at the makers of ‘Adipurush‘ and his sharp comments aimed at Sonakshi Sinha regarding her inability to answer a question related to the Ramayana. Here, we highlight a few instances where Mukesh’s statements stirred controversy and drew public attention.
‘Whole ‘Adipurush’ team should burnt in…’
Mukesh Khanna slammed the entire team of Prabhas and Kriti Sanon-starrer Adipurush. Khanna also expressed his disappointment with the dialogue and the outfits used in the movie. He told ANI, “I think this is a terrible joke with Ramayan. Who has given the right to anyone to insult our scriptures? I have even said that both of them have not even read Ramayan. It is absolutely rubbish. They should not be forgiven. Yesterday I said on my channel that this whole team should be burnt standing at fifty degrees Celsius.”
Direct dig at Sonakshi Sinha
During his conversation with ETimes, Mukesh Khanna had talked about the re-run of shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat during the onset of lockdown and had taken a direct jibe at Bollywood actress, Sonakshi Sinha. He had shared, “I think the reruns will be useful to many who haven’t watched the show earlier. It will also help people like Sonakshi Sinha who have no knowledge about our mythological sagas. People like her don’t know who did lord Hanuman get Sanjivani for.”
Mukesh Khanna on Ranveer Singh‘s controversial photoshoot
Mukesh expressed his disapproval of Ranveer Singh and his wife, actress Deepika Padukone, for not objecting to a controversial photoshoot. During his conversation with Bollywood Thikana, the senior actor stated, “That photoshoot marked the beginning of my aversion toward him. However, Ranveer claimed he didn’t actually take part in it, insisting he was only wearing underwear and had dismissed his promotional team.”
Although Mukesh initially accepted Ranveer’s explanation, he later recalled the actor’s public statement about being comfortable with the shoot. He remarked, “I remember saying, ‘You may be comfortable, but we aren’t.’ According to their statements to the media, his wife was also comfortable with it. Any wife would object; there’s no need to be so avant-garde.”
Mukesh Khanna on #MeToo movement
Mukesh Khanna’s comments on the #MeToo movement have sparked significant controversy. In his Youtube video, the actor expressed his belief that issues arise when women choose to leave their homes to work. He stated, “The one who suffers the most because of a working woman is the child, who does not receive the care of a mother. Instead, he or she ends up watching Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with a nanny.” He further added, “A man is a man, and a woman is a woman.”
