'Shaktimaan' trilogy: 5 actors who can be considered to lead
What's the story
Sony Pictures India recently announced the launch of a Shaktimaan trilogy.
The lead actor is yet to be declared but in 2018, when news about a probable Shaktimaan movie had first surfaced, Ranveer Singh's name was suggested.
But, we feel he's not the apt choice as he lacks the depth to play both the characters with ease.
The following five actors are our picks.
Number 1
Vidyut Jammwal
Vidyut Jammwal is a bonafide action star, so he will do well as the superhero.
But can he play Shaktimaan's alter-ego, Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastriji, a photographer associated with newspaper Aaj Ki Aawaz? Shastriji is a goofy character and speaks chaste Hindi.
Admittedly, it might be tough for Jammwal to play this rustic character, but we believe he can pull it off.
Number 2
Jisshu Sengupta
Jisshu Sengupta has played diverse roles in his career, starting from the noted sage Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for a show to an immoral scientist in the Telugu film Bheeshma.
Also, the fact that Bollywood hasn't given him any mainstream lead role, despite him having the needed physical features and skills, pushed us to pitch his name here.
Sengupta can easily shoulder both Shaktimaan and Shastriji.
Number 3
Sudeep
Kannada star Kichcha Sudeep or simply Sudeep has it all to be considered for this trilogy: Height, imposing presence, voice of Shaktimaan, along with simple facial features required to play a buffoon like Shastriji.
We will soon see him in an Indiana Jones type of a role in Vikrant Rona, but even imagining him in a superhero suit, complete with a cape, is alluring.
Number 4
Pratik Gandhi
Okay so Pratik Gandhi may not look the part of a superhero, but neither does Alia Bhatt as brothel madame Gangubai Kathiawadi.
But the film's team signed her up because of her strong acting skills and that's the same reason why Gandhi features on this list.
His down-to-earth persona combined with powerful execution of roles makes him suitable for the Shaktimaan series.
Number 5
Varun Tej
Towering at 6'3", Telugu actor Varun Tej has two things working in his favor:
A) He has never done a Hindi film, so this trilogy might be a dream project for him.
B) The 32-year-old actor is known for his dedication, as we've seen in the training videos of his upcoming film Ghani, where he plays a boxer named Abdul Ghani Usman aka Ghani.