The phenomenal box office performance of the latest Spider-Man film in India has once again highlighted the country’s enduring fascination with Hollywood superheroes. The success also raises a pertinent question: despite having iconic homegrown superheroes like Shaktimaan and Krrish, why hasn’t India been able to build enduring superhero franchises on a similar scale?
While both characters continue to enjoy a loyal fan base, their cinematic futures remain uncertain. Shaktimaan has been stalled due to rights-related issues, with creator Mukesh Khanna publicly expressing his reservations over Ranveer Singh playing the superhero. Meanwhile, Krrish 4 is yet to go on floors, with no official update from Rakesh Roshan or Hrithik Roshan.
Exhibitor and distributor Raj Bansal believes the issue is not a lack of compelling characters but the industry’s inability to fully realise their potential.
“India has no shortage of superheroes. We had Shaktimaan long before many modern franchises, yet we haven’t been able to capitalize on our own iconic characters the way Hollywood has.”
Asked about the uncertainty surrounding the future of Shaktimaan, Bansal said the franchise should move beyond any one individual.
“Shaktimaan should be rebooted for today’s audience with a younger actor. The character is bigger than any one individual and should be passed on.”
When told that Mukesh Khanna has publicly opposed Ranveer Singh playing the role, Bansal maintained that the focus should remain on keeping the character relevant.
“Rumors continue to swirl around who will step into the iconic hero’s shoes. It’s not about one actor; it’s about ensuring the character reaches today’s audience.”
Speaking about the delay surrounding Krrish 4, Bansal pointed to the challenges behind the scenes.
“Meanwhile, fans are still waiting on a long-overdue return for the Krrish series. The challenge has been locking the script, while the budget has continued to escalate.”
Explaining why Hollywood superhero films continue to resonate with Indian audiences, he credited their consistency in storytelling and release strategy.
“Hollywood has built incredible value around Spider-Man because it consistently delivers quality films and releases them at the right time, especially during holiday periods. That’s why audiences keep returning.”
Bansal believes India already possesses the stories and characters needed to create globally successful superhero franchises.
“India has an extraordinary treasure trove of stories. Amar Chitra Katha, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata—there are countless characters who can become world-class cinematic superheroes. Hanuman himself is a superhero. We have no shortage of powerful characters; we simply need to tell their stories at a global scale.”
