Mukesh entered the film industry after graduating from Film and Television Institute of India. He attended the school with fellow Indian actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shakti Kapoor. He rose to fame and is still best known for playing Bhisma Pitamah in B. R. Chopra's epic Television seriesMahabharat. From 1997 to 2005 Khanna starred as the protagonist in the superhero series Shaktimaan produced by his own production house Bheeshm International. The show became popular among youngsters and old people alike. Khanna worked in the television seriesAryamaan – Brahmaand Ka Yodha as the character of the same name. Khanna has worked in many television productions and films depicting him as police inspector such as in the film Hera Pheri. He has also worked in the television series Waqt Bataye Ga. He has played roles in films such as Tahalka and International Khiladi. He played the father of Bobby Deol's character in the film Barsaat. Khanna was offered the role of Shantanu in Ekta Kapoor's Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki; he refused. He told the press that Ekta's Mahabharat is sure to be a flop because BR Chopra's Mahabharat had actors in it; her Mahabharat has "models" in it. Throughout his acting career he appeared in several TV series like Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mahabharat, Yug, Chandrakanta, Mahayoddha, Virat, Shaktimaan, Aryamaan – Brahmaand Ka Yodha & also many commercially successful movies, including Saudagar, Yalgaar, Saugandh, Tahalka, Shaktiman, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Barsaat, Raja Policewala Gunda, Veer, Himmat, Maidan-E-Jung, Judge Mujrim, Hera Pheri and Plan.
Other work
In 2007, Khanna participated in a child development project funded by the government, Shaktimaan, which targeted at preventing malnutrition, lowering the mother-child mortality rate, anaemia in girls and health awareness. Khanna operates acting schools in Jaipur, Agra and Bihar and has spoken about opening more. He also teamed with his former acting school, Film and Television Institute of India, for a three-month acting course. Mukesh Khanna also runs a YouTube channel with the name of his company Bheeshm International.
