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Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 21:55 IST
Mukesh Khanna Addresses Allegations of Imitating Amitabh Bachchan
Mukesh Khanna, celebrated for his iconic performances in shows like Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, recently discussed a long-standing controversy about him allegedly imitating the legendary Amitabh Bachchan.
Mukesh, reflecting on a supposed comment from Bachchan that he only learned of secondhand, revealed how this incident has influenced his professional journey. The situation became more complex as it attracted media attention over the years.
In an interview with the YouTube channel Hindi Rush, Khanna recounted the origins of the rumor. He mentioned that a mutual friend had reportedly witnessed the Bollywood superstar’s reaction to one of Khanna’s advertisements during a cinema screening.
“In this advertisement, I applied perfume and caught the attention of several women. Someone told me that during a screening, Amitabh remarked, ‘Saala copy karta hai’ (He’s copying me),” Mukesh explained. He expressed skepticism about the authenticity of this comment, questioning whether such a statement could genuinely exist coming from Amitabh, whom he respects.
Khanna also addressed claims that this comment negatively influenced his career trajectory. He strongly refuted the notion that Amitabh Bachchan’s words played any role in shaping his professional life. “We never worked together, and to suggest that he ended my career is utterly absurd,” he stated emphatically.
He shared that he had once faced a reporter who provoked him by insinuating that Bachchan’s remark had hindered his success. Khanna responded strongly, affirming his own agency in his career without relying on the opinions of others.
While the anecdote has lingered in his memory, Khanna maintains no resentment toward Bachchan. Their paths have crossed on multiple occasions over the years, although they have never explicitly discussed the alleged incident.
He recalled a particular moment on a flight from London to India where they exchanged friendly greetings, showcasing a mutual respect despite the past allegations. “We acknowledged each other and went about our travel,” Khanna noted.
Khanna further asserted that his career decisions were his own, with Amitabh having no impact on his significant roles, including those in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan. “I chose my projects wisely, and my success was rooted in those choices,” he remarked.
Khanna became widely recognized for his performance as Bhishma Pitamah in the iconic television adaptation of Mahabharat from 1988 to 1990, a role that solidified his status in Indian television history.
However, it was his portrayal of Shaktimaan, India’s first superhero from 1997 to 2005, that truly endeared him to generations of viewers. The series became a cultural touchstone, and Khanna’s dual role as Shaktimaan and his alter ego, Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, remains iconic in Indian entertainment.
Aside from his television accomplishments, Khanna has appeared in a variety of Bollywood films, such as Rakhwala, Hamara Khandaan, and Yalgaar, typically taking on roles that reflect authority and strength.
Source
www.news18.com