# Shaktimaan (1997)

> A chosen hero called Shaktimaan battles the forces of darkness that threaten the world.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/38512

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 169
- Episode runtime: 23 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: action, science fiction
- Created by: Mukesh Khanna
- Network: DD National
- Cast: Mukesh Khanna, Vaishnavi Macdonald, Surendra Pal, Ram Sethi, Sharad Smart, Mohsin Memon, Nupur Alankar, Zahida Parveen
- TMDB rating: 8.2/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389680/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: earnest, heroic, whimsical, nostalgic, sincere

## Synopsis

Shaktimaan (1997-1998) is an Indian superhero series created by Mukesh Khanna for DD National. Mukesh Khanna stars as Shaktimaan, the chosen protector whose alter ego is Gangadhar, a figure summoned by the Suryanshis to stand against the forces of darkness that seek to destroy the world. Vaishnavi Macdonald plays Geeta Vishwas, and Surendra Pal plays the villain Tamraj Kilvish, whose schemes give each episode its menace. Across one season of 169 episodes, the engine is simple and repetitive: a threat gathers, evil stirs, and the hero must rise to confront it, with the hero's mystical powers and heroic bearing on full display. The episodes are short, around twenty-three minutes each, and built as self-contained confrontations rather than a serialized mystery. The tone is earnest, mythic and direct, with a heroic, morally clear register aimed squarely at younger viewers. The production carries the modest, sincere look of early Indian state television, and its story draws on the long tradition of Indian mythic heroism. Fans of Power Rangers and Krrish will find a familiar kinship in its costumed heroism and clear battle between good and evil, while viewers curious about early television superheroes will appreciate its nostalgic sincerity.

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