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Mukesh Khanna, widely known for his iconic roles in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, recently addressed a decades-old allegation of imitating Amitabh Bachchan.
Mukesh Khanna reflects on Amitabh Bachchan’s alleged remark, “Saala copy karta hai,” and its impact on his career.
Mukesh Khanna, a veteran actor known for his roles in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, recently shared his perspective on a decades-old allegation that he imitated Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. Reflecting on an anecdote involving the megastar, Mukesh addressed the lingering impact of the alleged remark and how it was sensationalized over the years.
While speaking to the YouTube channel Hindi Rush, Mukesh Khanna recounted the moment he first heard about Amitabh’s supposed comment. The actor explained that a mutual acquaintance of theirs had overheard Amitabh reacting to Mukesh’s performance in an advertisement.
“I starred in one advertisement. It was an ad where I put on perfume, and girls turned to look at me. A person told me he was present when this ad was being played in a theatre. He was Amitabh’s friend. And Amit ji has a certain style. If I were in his place, I might have said the same thing. He told me that Amit ji saw the ad and said, ‘Saala copy karta hai (He’s copying me).’ You can call me self-respecting or stubborn, but I told that man, ‘Pagal hai tu, woh aisa bolege? (Are you mad? Do you think he’d say this?)’ But that sentence stayed in my mind,” Mukesh shared.
Mukesh also reflected on how this alleged comment became fodder for media speculation, with some even suggesting it had derailed his career. He firmly denied these claims, dismissing them as baseless. “We never worked together, but to say that Amitabh Bachchan finished my career is a nonsensical statement made by somebody,” Mukesh said.
He recalled an incident where a journalist attempted to provoke him by suggesting that Amitabh’s remark had sabotaged his career. Mukesh recounted his reaction, saying, “I told him, ‘Are you mad?’” His refusal to feed into the narrative underscores his confidence in his own career choices, which were independent of external influences.
Despite the anecdote staying with him, Mukesh emphasized that he harbors no ill feelings toward Amitabh. Over the years, the two actors have crossed paths multiple times, exchanging pleasantries but never addressing the alleged remark.
Mukesh recounted one such instance during a flight from London to India. “I have met him 10 times since then. Once, we were on a flight from London to India, and we greeted each other. We exchanged pleasantries and took our seats,” he shared.
He also clarified that his career trajectory had nothing to do with Amitabh. “I starred in a few films because I signed only a few films. Amitabh didn’t stop me from starring in Mahabharat or Shaktimaan,” Mukesh remarked, highlighting his role in shaping his own career.
Mukesh Khanna rose to fame with his portrayal of Bhishma Pitamah in the epic TV series Mahabharat (1988-1990), earning widespread acclaim for his powerful performance and commanding screen presence. The role cemented his place as a household name in India.
However, it was his role as Shaktimaan, India’s first superhero, in the eponymous television series (1997-2005) that brought him unparalleled popularity among children and adults alike. The show became a cultural phenomenon, and Khanna’s portrayal of both Shaktimaan and his alter ego, Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, remains a cherished part of Indian television history.
In addition to television, Khanna has acted in numerous Bollywood films, including Rakhwala (1971), Hamara Khandaan (1987), and Yalgaar (1992), often playing supporting roles and authority figures.
