Actor Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic roles as Shaktimaan and Bhishma Pitamah, recently opened up about a challenging phase in his early career when he was repeatedly compared to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. These comparisons, according to Khanna, began from his debut in 1981 with films like Roohi, Captain Barry, and Dard-e-Dil. Speaking in an interview with Bollywood Thikana, Khanna revealed how these early judgments had a significant impact on his self-confidence and career trajectory.
Mukesh Khanna Called “A Copy of Amitabh Bachchan”
Mukesh Khanna shared that the media and public were quick to tag him as a copycat of Amitabh Bachchan. “People used to say that I copy him,” Khanna stated, adding that this criticism was especially harsh during the early days of his film career. He explained that several of his films failed at the box office, which only strengthened this perception among audiences.
Khanna recounted how this label bothered him deeply, especially as success in Bollywood often silences critics. “Here, success speaks the most,” he explained. He noted that once his role as Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat earned him widespread recognition, the comparison with Amitabh Bachchan subsided, as television gave him a new identity outside of cinema.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Alleged Comment on Mukesh Khanna
Khanna also revealed a specific incident that still lingers in his memory. He claimed that Amitabh Bachchan himself had once commented on his performance, reportedly saying, “He copies.” According to Khanna, a friend who was present when Bachchan made this remark informed him about it, which left Khanna frustrated. “Who is Amit ji, who can stop my career?” he said, reflecting on how the comment affected him personally.
Khanna shared that while he felt hurt by the comparison and the remark attributed to Bachchan, he refused to let it define his career. Despite this difficult phase, Mukesh Khanna went on to establish a strong identity in Indian television, particularly with his legendary portrayal of Shaktimaan.
