[3] Khanna starred as the titular superhero, who gains superhuman abilities through meditation and the five elements of nature, and his alter ego, Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, a photographer for Aaj Ki Aawaz.
The series also featured Vaishnavi Mahant (initially played by Kitu Gidwani) as journalist Geeta Vishwas and Surendra Pal as the primary antagonist, Tamraj Kilvish.
The series was widely popular and received recognition for its impact on children, with Khanna being acknowledged by Indian political leaders for his portrayal.
[5] Humanity existed in peace until the onset of the Kali Yuga, which brought greed and hatred, leading to its decline over 6,000 years.
To restore balance, a mystical sect of saints known as the Suryanshis chose a man to rise against evil and protect society.
As part of his training, he underwent the ritual of death, immersing his body in holy fire to attain complete control over his powers.
It is later revealed that Shaktimaan is the reincarnation of Shri Satya, a member of the Suryanshi Sect from the Mahabharata era 5,000 years ago.
To maintain his secret identity, he assumes the persona of Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, a comical and eccentric photographer who speaks in formal Hindi.
Shaktimaan's greatest adversary is Tamraj Kilvish, the embodiment of darkness and evil, who seeks to spread corruption and chaos.
Khanna later revived the concept under his own production banner, Bheeshm International, named after his acclaimed role as Bheeshma in Mahabharat (1988–1990).
[8] In a 1997 interview with Screen, Khanna explained that the growing popularity of superhero content among children influenced his decision to create Shaktimaan.
[8] For Shaktimaan’s alter ego, Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, Khanna wanted a distinct, comical persona to contrast with the superhero’s powerful presence.
[8] In 2004, sign language interpretation was introduced for the social messages delivered at the end of episodes to make them accessible to a wider audience.
He had envisioned effects comparable to those in Superman, Spider-Man, and Terminator but acknowledged that the availability of advanced computer graphics and trained professionals in India was limited at the time.
[1] The series was later dubbed and broadcast in multiple Indian languages, including Tamil on DD Podhigai and Chutti TV, and Odia on Tarang.
[11][12] In 2019, Mukesh Khanna stated on his YouTube channel, Bheeshm International, that the series was canceled due to high broadcasting costs, which resulted in financial losses.
The seven chakras in his body which give him powers are: To avoid being an easy prey of Tamraj Kilvish, Shaktimaan adopted an alter ego of Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri in the society.
Gita Viswas (Vaishnavi Mahant, previously Kitu Gidwani), the female lead in the serial, used to work as a brave news reporter in Aaj Ki Awaaz.
[23] One year later‡, after Aaj Ki Awaaz was shut down, its staff members persuaded Gita in returning to India to join them to release Shaktimaan comics.
He initially served JJ as his personal assistant (PA) before he was possessed, but was secretly preparing the stage for Kakodar's entry under Tamraj's directions.
During an archaeological dig in the qila(fort) at Bhangdu Khati, the lead archaeologist Prof. Hussain and his assistant Hema discover a sarcophagus and a mysteriously untarnished sword made out of an unknown metal in the ruins.
She enters when Shaktimaan, Dwijj, Geeta time-travel upon centuries Diamond Comics collect chakra, but they were unable as Queen Mayadri makes them her hostages.
Later, Shaktimaan is successful in collecting 8 chakras of life from different time zones and saves the world, and Pretolla is sent out of the Earth and the protective coating is again made.
He first spread destruction in the city by showing himself as Ranjeet Singh, Shaktimaan's father, but dies due to the attack of nitrogen gas which him, but he again re-emerges.
When Mr. Subkar and Sheena are saved they are about to leave, the mayor of the city, Kumar Ranjan comes and names them foreign spies living visas and does not allow them to go.
When Mr. Subkar and Sheena are saved they are about to leave Mayor of the city Kumar Ranjan comes and names them foreign spy living visas and does not allow them to go.
Nupur Alankaar plays the role of Kaamini, a flirty, filmy gossip writer in the newspaper Aaj ki Aawaz.
He has been featured in The Asian Wall Street Journal on the front page reflecting on Shaktimaan's (and hence Khanna's) positive influence on children.
[62] On 8 November 2024, Mukesh Khanna, owner of Bheeshm International, released a teaser video on the company’s YouTube channel announcing the anticipated return of Shaktimaan.
[5] The teaser featured memorable scenes from the original series and hinted at the revival of the character, with Khanna stating, "It’s time for him to return.