Brace yourselves as India's original superhero, Shaktimaan is all set to make a legendary comeback! Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his portrayal of the desi superhero in DD National's '90s show and as Bhishma in BR Chopra's 1988 mythological series Mahabharat, recently announced his much-anticipated return to the show. Taking to his Instagram handle on Sunday, the actor announced the exciting update by sharing a picture of his iconic red and gold uniform and captioned it, "It’s Time For HIM to RETURN. Our First Indian SUPER TEACHER- SUPER HERO. YES! As Darkness And Evil prevails over Children of Today." ‘Shaktimaan’: From Mukesh Khanna’s Iconic Theme Song to Pandit Gangadhar’s Transformation, Here Are a Few Iconic Moments of the ’90s Superhero Series.

A teaser of the new Shaktimaan show was unveiled on the actor's YouTube channel, offering glimpses of the superhero paying tribute to national heroes Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose. As Mukesh Khanna prepares to slip into the superhero outfit again, it’s the perfect time to revisit some of the most iconic Hindi TV shows that entertained every 2000s kid after a tiring day at school. It might just be nostalgia talking, but the 2000s were truly the golden age of children's television, and now seems like the perfect time to relive those moments once again.

Mukesh Khanna Announcing ‘Shaktimaan’ Return

 

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1. ‘Hero – Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai’

"Hero ki kya baat hai, maa Durga uske saath hai, dushmano khabardaar, Dholu, Babli iske yaaar!" If you can remember these lines, congratulations—you are a certified Indian superhero fan. Hero - Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai, headlined by Sumeet Pathak, followed the story of a boy named Joy who would often get bullied not just by his peers but also by his brother due to his innocent nature. However, in a surprising turn of events, one day, when Joy's family is attacked by thugs, he seeks help from Durga Maa and this time, his prayers are answered! The Goddess grants him a ring that allows him to transform into a superhero. But as they say, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Sumeet Pathak as Hero (Photo Credits: X)

2. ‘Hatim’

Hatim was undoubtedly the favourite of many in their childhood. The Star Plus show, which first aired in 2003, had all the elements one could ask for in a fantasy drama. It felt as if we were right there with Hatim (Rahil Azam) as he set off on an adventure with his loyal sidekick, Hobo (Kiku Sharda), on a mission to defeat the demon king, Dajjal (Nirmal Pandey). Were you even a fan of the show if you didn't have a crush on Princess Jasmine (Pooja Ghai) The impact this show left on us as kids remains immeasurable.

Rahil Azam as Hatim (Photo Credits: X)

3. ‘Vicky & Vetaal’

Vicky & Vetaal was Disney Channel India's first locally produced series, launched in 2006. The supernatural sitcom, based on the tales of Baital Pachisi, follows the life of sixth-grader Vicky (Dev Kantawala) and his mischievous adventures with his ghostly partner Vetaal (Vishal Malhotra). The show made Vishal Malhotra a popular name at the time. And how could we miss their third partner, the magical book Paddu (voiced by Damandeep Singh Baggan)?

Vishal Malhotra as Vetaal (Photo Credits: X)

4. ‘Shaktimaan’

It would mean injustice if the talk of the town didn't make it to our list.  Shaktimaan, touted as India's first superhero show, aired on Doordarshan from 1997 to 2005. Mukesh Khanna, as Shaktimaan, took on the responsibility of saving the world as clouds of injustice spread. With its gripping action scenes and engaging background music, the show quickly became a favourite among kids and one of the best Hindi superhero shows of all time.

Mukesh Khanna as Shaktimaan (Photo Credits X)

5. ‘Shaka Laka Boom Boom’

The popular Star Plus show Shaka Laka Boom Boom premiered from 2002 to 2003. The fantasy show followed the story of a young boy named Sanju (Kinshuk Vaidya), who had access to a magical pencil. Everything he drew with it would turn real. However, this led to many unexpected problems in his life, making it a thrilling experience for us as kids. Whether we accept it or not, fans of the show at some point in their lives wished to have that pencil in their hands. Kinshuk Vaidya announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Diiksha Nagpal in August this year, leaving us thinking, "Just how fast the night changes". ‘Shaka Laka Boom Boom’ Fame Kinshuk Vaidya Gets Engaged to Long-Time Girlfriend Diiksha Nagpal; TV Actor Shares Dreamy Picture From Ceremony on Insta.

Kinshuk Vaidya as Sanju in Shaka Laka Boom Boom (Photo Credits: X)

After going through the TV shows mentioned above, you’re probably left with just one thought: How lucky were we to witness them as kids? Well, pat yourself on the back if you were a fan of any of these shows because you were part of the most dynamic generation of all time. Period.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 05:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).