'Bhishma became respectable': Earlier people used to say – this is copying Bachchan, borrowing and making 'Shaktiman'; Saved his self-respect by rejecting crores of offers

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna is saying this. In his career spanning nearly 50 years, he prioritized ideals and principles over money. The offer of crores of rupees was rejected. No filmmaker went to the door to ask for work. He did not want the role of a side hero, so he sat at home without work for years.

Then in 1988 B.R. Chopra produced the TV show 'Mahabharat'. Mukesh Khanna was seen in the role of Bhishma Pitamah in that show. It was after this show that the industry came to know about his capabilities. In 1997, he started his second innings on television with 'Shaktiman'. The show made him very popular among the younger generation, especially children.

Wanted to be a plastic engineer, had no interest in acting Mukesh Khanna's ancestors were residents of Multan (now in Pakistan). After partition in 1947, his family moved to Bombay (Mumbai). He was born on June 23, 1958. He was the youngest of four brothers. The house was on Marine Drive, Mumbai. It was a joint family, all living together.

Mukesh Khanna had no interest in acting. He had to do plastic engineering. He did his B.Sc from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Along with his studies, he also played cricket. Used to bowl inswing. Kapil used to compare himself with Dev.

Mukesh Khanna has acted in more than 60 films in his career

Elder brother advised me to enter acting field Not Mukesh Khanna but his elder brother was fond of acting. His name was Jaggi Khanna. He wanted to act, but his family stopped his marriage. Then he inspired Bhai Mukesh to enter this field.

Khanna's other brother advised him to join law college. There he studied LLB. Participated in plays in college during the three year course. There, Mukesh Khanna felt for the first time that he could act. After this he took admission in Film Institute of India, Pune.

Now the success story of Mukesh Khanna in his own words. 'After passing out from the film institute, I got the film 'Khooni' in 1978, but it was never released. However, due to this, industry people came to know that a tall and strong actor has entered the market. Then signed several films at once. Later, in 1981, he made his debut with the film 'Roohi'. Interestingly, 'Roohi' was the 15th film I signed, but it was the first film to be released.'

People said – Amitabh imitates Bachchan 'When I entered the industry, people started comparing me with Amitabh Bachchan in a negative way. People started saying that my voice and body resemble Amitabh Bachchan. I copy them. At that time who will explain to them that I have my own body, my own voice and my own talent. Why would I copy another person?'

Close people used to say – go to Bollywood parties, interact there As soon as I joined the industry, I signed 5 films in a week. Most of the films flopped. I started getting advice to go to Bollywood parties.

People close to me used to say, attend parties, only then you will get to know people. Then you will get good projects. I have always believed that one should not extend one's hand to work. I could have easily got the role of a side hero. However, I didn't want to do such a role.

Yash Chopra's words felt bad 'Once elder brother Jaggi took a reel of my show and went to show it to Yash Chopra. There were clips related to my performance in that show reel. Yash Chopra liked my work, but he said something he shouldn't have said. He said that when we are getting foreign liquor then why should we buy desi liquor? He meant why should I cast a new actor like Mukesh Khanna in my film when I have stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna.'

Well, today you are interviewing the same Mukesh Khanna.

sat idle for 2 years before getting the Mahabharata 'From my debut in 1978 to 1985, I acted in dozens of films. After that he stayed at home for two or three years. In 1988, I got an offer for the TV serial 'Mahabharat'. I am sad that my brother Jaggi could not watch 'Mahabharat'. He left this world before the serial came.'

Rejected the role of Duryodhana, then became Bhishma I got a call from Goofy Pantal for Mahabharata. Apart from being an actor, he was also a casting director. Goofy Pantal and Show Maker B.R. Chopra wanted me to play the role of Duryodhana. I refused to play a negative role. I wanted the role of Arjun or Karna. However, both these roles were given to someone else. Then I got the role of Bhishma Pitamah. History is witness to what happened after that.

Being a woman on screen is not allowed 'I think I could have played the role of Arjuna better because I have read the entire Mahabharata. I know the essence of every character. However, whatever happens, there is a reason behind it. If I had played Arjuna, I would have had to be Brihannala in one sequence. I was not at all acceptable to be seen in a woman's dress. So what happened happened right.'

According to the story of the Mahabharata, Brihannala was the impotent form of Arjuna. Arjuna assumed the form of Brihannala during his exile. The person seen in the picture is actor Feroze Khan. He played the role of Arjuna in Mahabharata serial.

I don't have as much money as Shah Rukh and Aamir, but the goodwill is more than theirs 'I have always preferred principles and ideals to money. Big stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan will have crores and billions of rupees. I may not have that much money, but I have earned billions of rupees of goodwill, which they don't have. This goodwill will be with us when we leave this world.'

'I don't have to work hard to get a job' 'People think I'm arrogant. It is said that I have a lot of arrogance inside me. However, there is nothing like that. I put my self-respect above all else, so my words sound a little harsh. I cannot extend my hand to anyone to get work. People say that one should not speak like this in front of everyone. will be boycotted from the industry.'

'I tell them that those who are tempted to work will be boycotted. It doesn't matter if someone gives me work or not. Even today I have the ability to make films on my own.'

'I give the rest to whoever wants to be respected. Can someone tell me if Mukesh Khanna has ever said anything wrong about Dilip Kumar? I have always respected him. He also valued my work. He was very impressed to see me in the role of Bhishma in 'Mahabharata'. You even praised me.'

'Shaktiman' was made with a loan of 75 lakhs, the show broke the record After Bhishma Pitamah, Mukesh Khanna's career highlight was the TV show 'Shaktiman'. There is an interesting story behind the creation of Shaktiman.

Mukesh Khanna said, 'A kid living in my neighborhood used to play with small toys like superheroes all day long. He bathes him – even washes him. I wonder why we don't have any superhero characters here. Then the concept of 'Shaktiman' came to my mind and one of my friends. However, I didn't have the money to make it. A superhero show had a higher budget.'

'Then I met a gentleman. I borrowed 75 lakhs from him. He did not charge any interest from me. Within a year or two I paid them off.'

The show broke many viewership records. Especially kids loved it. There was such a craze that children started trying to be like 'Shaktiman'. Due to which tragedies also started happening. Later, Mukesh Khanna himself had to come forward and explain.

After 'Mahabharat' and 'Ramayana' Shaktimaan was the most liked on Doordarshan

Telecast in 1997, the show ended abruptly after 104 episodes Shaktiman started broadcasting 27 years ago in 1997. It was suddenly closed in 2005. The reason behind the cancellation of the show was a dispute over money between Mukesh Khanna and Doordarshan.

Mukesh Khanna once said that people from Doordarshan had started taking a lot of money from him. Due to which they started to suffer. In fact, earlier producers had to pay producers to run serials on Doordarshan.

How much money to take was decided by Doordarshan. After the completion of 104 episodes, Doordarshan increased the charge to Rs. 10.8 lakh done. Initially this amount was 2.8 lakhs. This started to prove a losing deal for Khanna, so he decided to end the show abruptly.