Holy Soundwaves, Shaktimaan’s Back on Air with Pocket FM

MUMBAI: The power of truth, the sound of justice and a voice that can still stop villains in their tracks. India’s original superhero, Shaktimaan, has returned not on TV, but through the airwaves with Pocket FM’s 40-episode audio series Shaktimaan Returns, streaming free for all listeners.

It’s not just a reboot; it’s a revival wrapped in sound, heart, and nostalgia. Backed by Mukesh Khanna, the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, the series reimagines the iconic hero for the streaming age complete with cinematic sound design, a 10-hour-long immersive experience, and a storyline that’s as timely as it is timeless.

This time, Shaktimaan isn’t just fighting the usual rogues’ gallery. His newest nemesis is mankind’s oldest foe greed. In this environmental thriller, the superhero takes on Mahatatva, a corrupted guardian of balance who wants to restore harmony to Earth by extreme means. To save humanity, Shaktimaan must find five mystical Manis of Elements each holding the power of nature itself and rediscover that real strength comes from compassion, not chaos.

Pocket FM’s production is a masterclass in nostalgia with a purpose. Familiar names Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba return to the soundscape, breathing life into one of India’s largest audio superhero productions to date. With its blend of adrenaline, moral lessons, and a cinematic soundscape, Shaktimaan Returns is both a tribute and an evolution.

“For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in,” said Pocket FM CEO and co-founder Rohan Nayak. “This isn’t just a 90s reboot, it’s a reawakening of Indian heroism told through modern storytelling. The world has long looked to the West for superheroes, but India’s legends are rooted in values and imagination. Shaktimaan’s comeback is proof that Indian icons can evolve and still inspire.”

For Mukesh Khanna, the man who first wore the maroon cape, the project feels like coming home only this time, to a new medium. “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds,” Khanna said. “Pocket FM has reimagined it beautifully. They’ve preserved the essence while giving it a new voice. It’s heartening to know Shaktimaan still lives in a form today’s generation can connect with.”

But Pocket FM didn’t stop at nostalgia, they added a cheeky wink. To celebrate the launch, the platform dropped a viral brand film titled “Distressed Villains”, starring Bollywood’s most iconic 90s baddies Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and Surendra Pal (yes, Tamraj Kilvish himself). The clip shows the villains in panic mode as they learn of Shaktimaan’s return, reviving the classic one-liners from “Andheraa…” to “By God!” in a laugh-out-loud reunion of Indian pop culture.

“We wanted to celebrate Shaktimaan’s return in a way that’s fun and full of nostalgia,” said Pocket FM SVP and head of brand marketing Vineet Singh. “Who better to react than the very villains who made our childhoods so entertaining? It’s not just a campaign; it’s a time machine for every 90s kid.”

As Shaktimaan Returns takes flight on Pocket FM, it marks a new milestone for Indian storytelling where superheroes no longer just leap across screens but echo through speakers, powered by imagination and audio innovation.

Because whether it’s 1998 or 2025, when darkness rises, the light and the legend of Shaktimaan always returns.