Shaktimaan 1997–2005

Shaktimaan is an Indian Hindi-language superhero television series created and produced by Mukesh Khanna. Inspired by American superhero Superman, the series aired on DD National from 13 September 1997 to 27 March 2005. 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. The show was followed by Shaktimaan: The Animated Series in 2011 and a television film, Hamara Hero Shaktimaan, in 2013. In 2024, Khanna announced the revival of Shaktimaan through a teaser video. In 2025, Shaktimaan made a comeback as an audio series titled Shaktimaan Returns on the audio entertainment platform Pocket FM.