India’s most iconic superhero, ‘Shaktimaan’, has made a grand comeback — this time in an all-new avatar on Pocket FM.

The popular audio entertainment platform has revived the beloved character through a 40-episode audio series titled ‘Shaktimaan Returns’, streaming exclusively and free for all users. The series redefines India’s first superhero for a new generation, blending nostalgia, environmental consciousness, and immersive sound design to create a cinematic listening experience.

‘Shaktimaan Returns’ marks a new era in Indian storytelling, with the superhero now confronting one of humanity’s biggest challenges — its own greed and disregard for nature. In this reimagined narrative, Shaktimaan faces his nemesis, Mahatatva, a fallen guardian determined to restore balance on Earth at any cost. The superhero embarks on a quest to find five mystical jewels, known as the ‘Manis of Elements’, learning that true strength lies not in destruction but in compassion.

The audio series, which runs nearly 10 hours, features dynamic soundscapes, emotional depth, and the return of beloved characters such as Gangadhar Shastri, Gita Vishwas, Mahatma, and TRP Baba. It stands as one of the most ambitious superhero productions ever made in India’s audio space, reviving the values that made Shaktimaan a household name in the 90s.

“For many of us, Shaktimaan was the first hero we truly believed in,” said Rohan Nayak, CEO and Co-founder of Pocket FM. “Bringing him back wasn’t about rebooting the 90s; it was about showing how timeless Indian heroes can be when told through a modern storytelling style and a new storyline. For decades, the world has looked to the U.S. for superheroes, but India has its own legends. Shaktimaan represents purpose, balance, and moral strength — qualities that resonate deeply even today. We’re thrilled to bring him back on Pocket FM, and this is only the beginning as we continue to reimagine more Indian superheroes for our audience.”

For Mukesh Khanna, the original creator and face of Shaktimaan, this revival is a deeply emotional moment. “Shaktimaan was created to inspire truth, selflessness, and courage in young minds — values that remain timeless,” Khanna said. “When Pocket FM approached me, I was curious how those ideals would be portrayed through audio. But the way they’ve reimagined it, with a fresh narrative that stays true to Shaktimaan’s essence, truly moved me. No other platform could have done such justice to the character. It’s heartening to see that the spirit of Shaktimaan is alive, reaching a new generation in a new form.”

To celebrate the launch, Pocket FM released a humorous and nostalgia-filled brand film titled ‘Distressed Villains’, featuring Bollywood’s most notorious 90s villains — Gulshan Grover, Ranjeet, Shehzad Khan, Shahbaz Khan, and Surendra Pal (the original Shaktimaan villain) — reacting in panic to the superhero’s return. The film revives iconic catchphrases like ‘Andheraa…’, ‘By God!’, and ‘Bad Man,’ bringing together nostalgia, chaos, and laughter in one frame.

Vineet Singh, SVP and Head of Brand Marketing at Pocket FM, shared, “We wanted to celebrate Shaktimaan’s return in a way that felt familiar and full of nostalgia. Who better than the very villains who made our childhoods unforgettable? Bringing them together was pure joy — it’s a reunion of Indian pop culture. The idea was to make people smile, reminisce, and realize how deeply Shaktimaan still lives in our hearts.”

With ‘Shaktimaan Returns’, Pocket FM not only rekindles the magic of India’s most legendary superhero but also marks a cultural milestone in the evolution of audio storytelling. The series celebrates the timeless values of courage and truth while showcasing how Indian heroes can evolve with technology — proving that the light of Shaktimaan still shines bright in the modern world.