Audio Series platform Pocket FM, has brought the country’s most beloved superhero roaring back to life. Reviving the legend with an all-new 40-episode audio series, Shaktimaan Returns is a nostalgic yet contemporary environmental thriller, backed by none other than the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, Mukesh Khanna. The series, now streaming exclusively and free for all users on Pocket FM, redefines India’s most loved superhero for a new generation, blending nostalgia, purpose, and cinematic sound design to create an immersive storytelling experience unlike anything before.
A New Era. A New Battle. A New Storyline.
This time, Shaktimaan’s mission goes beyond battling evil. In Shaktimaan Returns, he faces an enemy unlike any before, humanity’s own greed and its reckless exploitation of nature. His nemesis, Mahatatva, once a guardian of balance, has turned into a corrupted force determined to restore Earth’s harmony by any means necessary. To save the world, Shaktimaan must embark on a quest to collect five mystical jewels, the Manis of Elements, and discover that true power lies in compassion, and not destruction.
Packed with cinematic soundscapes, the series runs nearly 10 hours of adrenaline, emotions, and moral awakening, proving that the power of light still shines bright in today’s chaotic world. With a cast of beloved characters – Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba, it’s one of the largest superhero productions in India’s audio entertainment space to date.
“For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in. Bringing him back wasn’t about rebooting the 90s; it was about showing how timeless Indian heroes can be when told through a modern style of storytelling and with a new storyline,” said Rohan Nayak, CEO and Co-founder of Pocket FM. “For decades, the world has looked to the U.S for its superheroes, from caped crusaders to cinematic universes. But India has its own legends, its own heroes shaped by our values and imagination. Shaktimaan brings a refreshing shift with an Indian superhero who stands for purpose, balance, and moral strength. We’re thrilled to bring him to Pocket FM, and this is just the beginning as we continue to create and reimagine more superheroes for our audiences. Audio is one of the most powerful storytelling mediums, and this project demonstrates how classic Indian IPs can evolve with technology and reach new audiences globally.”
For the man who first gave India its superhero, this revival is deeply emotional. Mukesh Khanna, the original Shaktimaan, said, “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds. These values are timeless. When Pocket FM approached me, I was curious to see how those ideals would come alive through audio. But the way they’ve reimagined it, with a fresh storyline while preserving the soul of Shaktimaan, truly moved me. I doubt if any other production house could have done such justice to the character. I’m glad to see that the essence of Shaktimaan is alive and speaking to a new generation in a new voice.”
Bollywood’s Baddies React — Villains in Panic Mode!
To celebrate the launch, Pocket FM dropped a hilarious brand film featuring Bollywood’s most notorious 90s villains Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and the original Shaktimaan villain Surendra Pal in full panic mode after discovering Shaktimaan is back!
From “Andheraa…” to “By God” to “Bad Man”, the villains deliver a nostalgia-packed performance as they scramble to deal with their old foe’s return. The film, aptly titled “Distressed Villains”, captures the 90s chaos and humour fans loved, ending with a cheeky salute to the man who made them all go “Sorry Shaktimaan!” once again.
The film was conceptualized and executed by Pocket FM’s in-house creative team.
Speaking about the film, Vineet Singh, SVP and Head – Brand Marketing, Pocket FM, said, “We wanted to celebrate Shaktimaan’s return in a way that felt fun, familiar, and full of nostalgia. Who better to react than the very villains who made our childhoods so entertaining? Bringing them together in one frame was pure joy — a reunion of Indian pop culture itself. The idea was to create a moment that makes people smile, reminisce, and realize how deeply Shaktimaan lives in our collective memory.”
With Shaktimaan Returns, Pocket FM honors the nostalgia attached to Shaktimaan while reimagining the future of storytelling through the power of audio series. It stands as a cultural milestone, reviving a legend who continues to inspire generations and reaffirming that the spirit of Indian heroes is alive, evolving, and ready to shine in new forms.
