Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his iconic role as Shaktimaan, has voiced serious concerns about the growing influence of mobile phones and social media on today’s youth. In a powerful and emotional statement, he remarked, “If a new Shaktimaan is made, its first villain won’t be Kilvish, it will be the mobile phone.” His comments reflect a deeper anxiety over how technology, once a convenience, has now become a source of distraction and disconnection.
He emphasized that smartphones were created for our benefit, not to control us. “Jaani, this phone is for our use, not for others,” he said, pointing out that children now turn to platforms like Google and Wikipedia more than they do to parents, teachers, or real-world mentors. In his view, this shift is eroding moral values and weakening the emotional fabric that once defined human relationships.
Mukesh Khanna also criticized the film industry for delivering what he called morally shallow content. He argued that filmmakers often defend poor-quality output by saying it’s what the audience wants, but he counters that audiences are simply consuming what they’re given. Instead, he calls on content creators to take responsibility and make films that uplift society.
Looking back, he praised filmmakers like Manoj Kumar for producing cinema rooted in patriotism and cultural values. According to Khanna, this kind of storytelling is needed now more than ever. For him, Shaktimaan was not just a superhero; he was a symbol of ethics and guidance for children—a character who stood for right and wrong in a way that is urgently needed today.
Mukesh Khanna’s warning is clear: unless we act soon, screens will continue to dominate young minds. To him, Shaktimaan’s return wouldn’t just be about nostalgia—it would be a moral intervention in an age of digital overload.
