Mukesh Khanna Bio, Family, Career, Shaktimaan Fame and More

Mukesh Khanna is a name that resonates with multiple generations of Indian television viewers

Born on 23 June 1958, he carved a niche for himself with landmark roles and then went on to become a producer, talk-show host and content creator.

While many know him as the larger-than-life superhero from the hit TV show Shaktimaan (1997–2005) or as the noble Bhishma of Mahabharat (1988–1990), his journey offers insight into persistence, reinvention and the evolving face of Indian entertainment.

This article will trace his life from his early days, through his career highs and challenges, to his activities today. We will include a statistics table, an FAQ section and sources for further reading.

Also Read: Arbaaz Khan Bio, Career, Movies, Personal Life and More

Mukesh Khanna’s Biography

Early Life and Background

Mukesh Khanna was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), in the then Bombay State, on 23 June 1958. His family roots trace to a Punjabi Hindu background, originally from areas in what is now Pakistan (including Multan and Dipalpur) before the partition.¹

Education and formative years

• Khanna studied at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, earning a B.Sc. degree. (Some sources mention he completed a Master of Laws qualification too.)

• He further honed his acting craft at the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

• In interviews Khanna has reflected on the early phase of his career, noting that between 1984 and 1986 he had about 15 films lined up, only a handful saw release, and most of them failed commercially. He says that period taught him the harsh realities of the entertainment industry.²

This foundation shaped not only his acting style but his later decisions in production and content creation.

Break-out Roles and Rise to Fame

Mukesh Khanna’s career includes many parts, but some roles stand out and made a lasting impact.

Bhishma in Mahabharat

Between 1988 and 1990, Khanna portrayed Bhishma Pitamah in B.R. Chopra’s televised mythological epic Mahabharat. This role anchored him in the public consciousness as a strong, principled character. ³

क्या किया संत समाज ने हिंदू एकता के लिए ?

*MY FULL STATEMENT ONLY ON BHEESHM INTERNATIONAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL..

*WATCH NOW – https://t.co/NhEYbThhdp pic.twitter.com/0jApTgn9ic

— Mukesh Khanna (@actmukeshkhanna) November 1, 2025

Shaktimaan – The Superhero Era

Perhaps his most iconic role arrived when he created and starred in Shaktimaan (1997–2005). Playing the titular character, he became synonymous with the superhero persona in Indian television.

Beyond just acting, he was involved in production and creative decisions for the show. The show gained a cult status especially among children of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Other notable projects

• He appeared in feature films, including Yalgaar (1992) where he played a supporting role.

• On television, apart from the mythological and superhero genres, he took on a supporting role in the serial Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara (2012–2013).⁴

Career Highlights and Milestones

Here are some of the key milestones in Mukesh Khanna’s career:

• Debut: His film debut was in Roohi (1981) playing the role of Prakash.

• Television Breakthrough: Mahabharat (1988–1990) made him a household name.

• Superhero Fame: Shaktimaan (1997–2005) elevated his stardom and made him an iconic figure for children and families.

• Production/Entrepreneurship: He established his own company, Bheeshm International, through which he produced or co-produced content.

• Recent Activities: He has shifted into new media: he runs a YouTube channel (also under Bheeshm International) hosting his talk-show format.

Challenges, Setbacks & Comebacks

Every career has its ups and downs, and Khanna’s journey is no exception.

• As mentioned earlier, the period 1984-1986 was a difficult one for him: many of his films never released, some flopped, and he was labelled a “flop actor”. In his own words: “If your work is not good but the film turns out to be a hit you still manage to get the next few projects. But when your work is good and the film becomes a flop you lose your value in the market.”

• Even Shaktimaan, though beloved, had its financial constraints in production. A news piece surfaced stating that the show was made on borrowed funds (initially 7 lakh rupees, then 10 lakh) and at times faced repeated demands for money from the channel.⁵

Despite these challenges, Khanna persevered and shifted into more stable and self-controlled roles (producer, content creator) rather than just actor.

Also Read: Rakhi Sawant Bio, Career, Controversies and Inspiring Journey

Contributions Beyond Acting

Mukesh Khanna has not limited himself to acting alone. His contributions include:

• Serving as the chairman of the Children’s Film Society India (CFSI). He resigned from this post in February 2018.

• Founding his own company, Bheeshm International, giving him control over production, direction and brand building.

• Venturing into digital content and talk shows via his YouTube channel, where he engages with current issues as well as nostalgia fans of his earlier work.

These roles show that he is more than an actor he is a brand, a creator and a commentator.

Personal Life

While Mukesh Khanna is a public figure, his private life is more discreet compared to many contemporaries.

• His date of birth: 23 June 1958.

• Family roots: Punjabi Hindu family originally from what is now Pakistan (Multan, Dipalpur) who migrated to India post-partition.

• Net Worth: One source estimates his net worth to be around USD 2.65 million.

Details such as his spouse or children are less prominently documented in the public domain.

Legacy and Impact

Mukesh Khanna’s legacy is multifaceted:

• He helped define the superhero genre on Indian television with Shaktimaan. That show remains a cultural touch-stone decades later.

• His portrayal of Bhishma in Mahabharat helped re-energize mythological storytelling on television and made him a part of many Indian households.

• Because he transitioned into production and new media, his career offers a blueprint for actors wanting to take control of their content rather than be only performers.

• For younger viewers, the memory of “Shaktimaan says…” and moral lessons at the end of the show remain powerful.

Despite the changing media landscape, Khanna remains relevant thanks to his adaptability and willingness to engage with contemporary platforms.

Statistics Table

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pocket FM India (@pocketfm_india)

FAQ’s

Q1. What is Mukesh Khanna’s most famous role?

A: While he has played many roles, the most famous among them are Bhishma in the TV series Mahabharat and the superhero Shaktimaan in the series of the same name.

Q2. Did Mukesh Khanna only act in television?

A: No. While his major popular acclaim came from television, he also acted in films from the early 1980s onwards. He further invested in production, established his company and created his own content for both TV and digital mediums.

Q3. What is his production company?

A: His production and content company is called Bheeshm International.

Q4. Is Mukesh Khanna active today?

A: Yes. He has been active in digital media, including running a talk show on YouTube under his company Bheeshm International, and remains involved in industry conversations and content creation.

Q5. What challenges did he face in his career?

A: Early in his career (mid-1980s) he experienced several commercial failures and unreleased films, which led to a phase where his market value was questioned. He has spoken openly about this period. He also had to contend with production and financial challenges even for Shaktimaan.

Q6. Does he have any awards?

A: He has received nominations such as the Indian Telly Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor (2013) for his work in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara.

The Road Ahead

Mukesh Khanna’s journey reflects evolution in the Indian entertainment industry.

From mythological epics (like Mahabharat) to superhero fantasy (like Shaktimaan), and now to digital talk-shows and content via his YouTube channel, he remains relevant by adapting.

For actors and creators alike his story underscores the value of diversification: acting, production, brand building and direct audience engagement.

Looking ahead, Khanna is positioned to further harness digital platforms, nostalgia-driven content and his legacy status.

Whether through revivals of his past roles, new ventures or collaborations, his footprint in Indian popular culture remains significant.

Also Read: Vijay Deverakonda Bio, Movies, Family, Net Worth and Career

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. thehansindia
3. indianexpress
4. thecityceleb
5. maharasthratimes