The classic superhero drama *Shaktimaan* is one of the Indian television series from the 90's and 2000s. Nowadays, even after twenty-five years since its first broadcast on TV, the superhero series still has a much-read following, so even today, those films being made for the superhero show have been a matter for speculation for quite some time.
Rumours were being blown up that Allu Arjun was working with Basil Joseph to shoot Shaktimaan, which could be based on it. The speculation had only grown when Basil Joseph himself had previously directed the successful superhero film Minnal Murali starring Tovino Thomas.
But the filmmakers later explained that the upcoming movie has nothing to do with the iconic superhero character. Filmmaker Arun Anirudhan said on Club FM 94.3 that he and writer Paulson Skaria had previously written a script for a forthcoming adaptation by Basil Joseph.
He is saying that the Shaktimaan project was a “massive undertaking” but that it didn’t allow it to progress without complication. Arun added that the now unnamed filming of Allu Arjun and Basil Joseph is completely different. He dismissed rumours linking Shaktimaan and promised the fans that official news about this project would soon be published. Notwithstanding, Basil Joseph recently stated the rumours in a note to Cineulagam's recent interview.
Not directly addressing details of the project, he acknowledged that film development is a moving question and said that, when there is a certain amount of unknowns with the movie, he’ll say it openly when it’s time for him to talk about the venture.
Rumours of Allu Arjun playing Shaktimaan were fueled further after the long-time actor Mukesh Khanna opened up and supported the star with a strong line of comments about whether Allu Arjun should be promoted to the superhero role. Mukesh Khanna, the face of Shaktimaan on TV, used to say Allu Arjun has the right physicality, on screen, to be Shaktimaan.
At the same time, Mukesh Khanna condemned any rumour that Ranveer Singh might be the lead in the movie adaptation of Shaktimaan. His remarks ignited a heated debate online as to whose name would be the perfect screen face most fitting to re-humanise India’s most popular superhero.
While fans may have to wait until a reboot of Shaktimaan is officially announced, buzz around superhero films in Indian cinema is up by a hair. Given that Allu Arjun and Basil Joseph are a couple of directors working on a new blockbuster, the expectation is higher even for someone who is not tied to Shaktimaan, the film's creators say.
