Mukesh Khanna Defends Appearance in Ad with Samay Raina: ‘Shaktimaan Cannot Be Sold’
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has broken his silence following a wave of backlash on social media regarding his recent appearance in a commercial alongside stand-up comedian Samay Raina.
The collaboration caught many fans off guard, given that Khanna had previously been one of the most vocal critics of Raina’s viral show, India’s Got Latent. Following the release of the advertisement, several internet users accused the veteran star of compromising his principles for money, alleging that he had “sold out” (bik gaya).
Setting the Record Straight
In a candid conversation on Subhojit Ghosh’s podcast, Khanna clarified the nature of the partnership. He revealed that he was initially hesitant to sign the project due to his well-documented history of criticizing Raina and his content. According to the actor, the brand spent nearly 10 days actively persuading him to come on board.
“I only agreed to consider the offer after reviewing the script,” Khanna explained, noting that the brand had assured him full creative control, including the ability to demand changes if the content did not align with his values.
Addressing the accusations of being a “sell-out,” the actor remained defiant. “My people wouldn’t say I’ve been bought. If I were bought, wouldn’t I be participating in the vulgarity as well? Where did I bow down to say he is nice? Shaktimaan cannot be sold, and I did not go on his show,” he asserted.
Maintaining His Stance
Despite sharing the screen with the comedian for the commercial, Khanna reiterated that his ideological opposition to India’s Got Latent remains unshaken. He maintained his criticism of “roasting programs” and what he describes as “below-the-belt humor.” He even reminded listeners that he had previously been critical of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding FIRs filed against Raina, reinforcing that his views on the content have not shifted.
However, Khanna distinguished between his professional responsibilities and his personal assessment of the individual. While he firmly opposes the nature of Raina’s show, he acknowledged that his interaction with the comedian during the shoot was pleasant.
“I found him a very sweet person, cracking jokes,” Khanna remarked. “He told me 10 jokes, very, very positive.”
He further characterized Raina as an “enterprising” individual who is acutely aware of how controversy and negative publicity can be leveraged to drive viewership and revenue. By separating his work in the commercial from his public stance on comedy, the veteran actor insists he has remained true to his ideals while navigating the requirements of a commercial project.
