Showing posts with label Shekhar Suman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shekhar Suman. Show all posts
OTT bhi barbaad ho gaya, and there’s barely any freedom there-Shekhar Suman
5:00 PM
Veteran actor Shekhar Suman refuses to label facing the camera after 14 years a ‘comeback’; says he likes to surrender as an actor, even if the director is his son, Adhyayan Suman
Soumya Vajpayee (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 31, 2026)
For years, Shekhar Suman (63) ruled the late-night airwaves as a pioneer of Indian television satire with Movers & Shakers (1997). Yet, when he consciously stepped away, a vacuum remained. For the veteran, returning after a 14-year hiatus did not feel like a comeback.
Rejecting the word as a “stereotype”, he explains: “Agar main doctor hoon, aur kuch din mareez nahin dekh raha hoon, iska matlab yeh nahin hai ki main doctor nahin hoon. Kuch aise halaat hote hain jiski wajah se ek gap aa jaata hai. (If I am a doctor and I haven’t seen patients for a few days, that doesn’t mean I stop being a doctor. Sometimes circumstances create a gap.) So I never believe in comeback. I was always there and now, I just decided to be in front of the camera.”
The transition back to the studio floor for his new show Shekhar Tonite felt seamless: “The day I faced the camera for the show, mujhe laga main to kal hi chorr ke gaya tha. (I felt like I had left only yesterday.) It didn’t feel like a 14-year-gap.”
Leaving at the peak
He walked away from Movers & Shakers at the height of its success. “I was getting complacent,” he admits. “As an actor, I wanted to explore characters and not do just one thing. I wanted to write poetry, direct a film, travel, do gardening, explore my culinary talent.”
However, persistent public yearning eventually shifted his perspective. “Movers & Shakers kabhi khatam hi nahin hua. (Movers & Shakers never really ended.) So this show is an extension, because Movers & Shakers rules people’s minds and hearts even today.” My son (Adhyayan Suman; actor-director) said, ‘If people love it and want it so much, why don’t you give it to them? It’s your responsibility.’ That became a catalyst.”
Why YouTube made sense
To launch the new property on YouTube, Shekhar backed a complete departure from traditional television networks — a landscape he feels has devolved significantly. “TV mein do hi kism ke log hain — moorkh aur maha moorkh (There are only two kinds of people in television — fools and bigger fools), so why listen to them or take diktat from them?”
Shekhar says bluntly, adding, “OTT bhi barbaad ho gaya (OTT has also gone to ruin), and there’s barely any freedom there. To thrive in a creative field, you need absolute freedom, and YouTube offers you that. Yahan, aap apni saltanat ke badshah hain. Here, you are the king of your own kingdom. It feels liberating.”
This philosophy carries over into his treatment of high-profile guests. Utilising lifelong industry relationships, a single phone call is usually enough to book distinguished figures, though Shekhar maintains a strict code of hospitality.
“Aap kisi bhi mehmaan ko apne ghar bulaate hain, toh ek maryaada zaruri hai. When you invite a guest into your home, a certain decorum is necessary. I will never ask them questions to embarrass them. I know where to draw a line.”
On stage, the script remains a fluid canvas for his signature wit: “Since I make the script myself, I manage to improvise it. While talking, a lot of things come to my head, and I paraphrase. So, there’s a lot of spontaneity.”
Speaking to Gen Z without performing for them
Navigating the modern digital landscape also meant adapting to Gen Z without artificially catering to them.
“You don’t have to make an effort to cater. Let them understand. This generation is very smart. And things like bhajan clubbing indicate that they are going back to where they belong,” Shekhar observes. The entire production crew behind Shekhar Tonite consists of Gen Z individuals. “They didn’t know anything about Movers & Shakers. But when they did their homework and researched about it, they are all so happy now and are enjoying every bit of the political satire.”
Surviving the era of cancel culture and internet trolls requires a thick skin. Shekhar views trolling as an unfortunate byproduct of digital access. “Thanks to easy access because of Instagram and YouTube, etc people enjoy being trolls and they have a sadistic streak. So resilience is key. The best thing is to not pay attention to fools.”
He remains unfazed by industry jealousy or coordinated campaigns: “Whenever someone excels, there will be a group of people who will try to pull you down, especially if you are talented. When you do good work, the mediocrity around you gets exposed. And those people try to pull you down. But that doesn’t bother me.”
The most beautiful collaboration
Shekhar attributes the reality of this revival to his son’s execution: “If Adhyayan wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have done it. I’m grateful to him, because he is the boss now. He has taken over everything, including my Instagram (laughs). But I’m fine with it. Waqt ke sath chalna bahut zaruri hai. It is very important to move with the times.”
As the driving force behind the camera, Adhyayan (38) spent years watching his father’s legacy sit on the shelf. “As a creator and an artiste myself, I realised I needed to step up and bring the show back to make sure this man took his throne. He was an undisputed pioneer of the format,” he says.
The road to bringing Shekhar Tonite to life was paved with closed doors, including four years spent chasing traditional TV executives.
“The last phone call of a studio head said, ‘Huge SS (Shekhar Suman) fan, bro. I grew up watching him’. But the undertone was that he wasn’t sure if Shekhar ji was relevant anymore,” Adhyayan recalls.
Bypassing television entirely, he self-funded the show with zero advertisers: “I thought of YouTube because I was tired of knocking on doors. It gets frustrating as a creator to just keep begging.”
Who’s the boss on set?
On set, their dynamic shifts into a space of intense professional focus. “I’m the only person who can go to dad and tell him: ‘I don’t like this, or let’s cut this take out and do another one’. When we work together, it’s serious business,” Adhyayan notes. It is a collaboration that Shekhar fully embraces: “Adhyayan is my biggest strength. This is the most fruitful and beautiful collaboration that I’ve ever had in my life. I love the fact that he’s calling the shots on the sets. And as an actor, I surrender. I can’t be like, ‘Tum humein bataoge humein kaise dekhna hai?’ You’re going to tell me how I should look? (laughs) I just follow his instructions and things are so smooth working with him.” Having never had an industry Godfather, Adhyayan dismisses mainstream nepotism debates as irrelevant to his reality.
“I find the conversation about nepotism irrelevant, because I had to build everything on my own from scratch. It took me 17 years to find the door to start the journey.”
Talking about the projects in the pipeline, Adhyayan shares: “I plan to make Dekh Bhai Dekh next and I am already in talks with [director] Anand Mahendroo ji for the same. There’s also a reality show I am working on. As an actor, I have two releases this year. I’m also debuting as a director this year with a film called Main Na Raha Mera. I have four music albums releasing this year and I also have a clothing brand called Dutchess Kumari, which is eight months old. I am building my own world.”
I have equal respect for Narendra Modi and for Rahul Gandhi-Shekhar Suman
8:27 AM
Returning 14 years after ‘Movers & Shakers’ with a talk show, host Shekhar Suman says ‘Shekhar Tonite’ carries forward his intent of critiquing current events
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 25, 2026)
Wit, sarcasm, and a critique of the happenings across the country are back on the menu. Delivering them is Shekhar Suman, who, in 1997, gave India one of its iconic late-night talk shows, Movers & Shakers. Fourteen years since it went off air, the host is back with Shekhar Tonite. “Movers & Shakers was instinct. Shekhar Tonite is intent,” Suman told mid-day.
On May 15, Shekhar Tonite opened with Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, as the guest, followed by another episode featuring actor Bobby Deol. Of course, the highlight was Suman’s keen-eyed observations, as he scrutinised the current Indian political scene, the advisory to not buy gold, and the recent exam paper leaks.
“There is a misconception that the show hits out at people. For me, every person has a social responsibility. I have equal respect for our Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] and for Rahul Gandhi. If I elect someone and they are not able to deliver, I have the right to critique them, but I am not criticizing them. I am like RK Laxman’s The Common Man, who wants to express himself. I’m raising my voice against what is happening in society, but doing so in the most civilized manner,” said the host.
Gimmicks, he insisted, have no place in his show. “No rapid fire, no planted controversies. Think of it as the opposite of doomscrolling. It’s slow content for a fast world,” he asserted.
What made him stream it on his official YouTube channel, instead of an OTT platform? “Freedom. On my own channel, there is no algorithm telling me to shorten it or make it trend in eight seconds. I want to make conversation for people. If OTT respects that, we’ll talk.”
Satire should be witty not insulting-Shekhar Suman
4:27 PM
Abhimanyu Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 21, 2026)
Actor Shekhar who introduced the late-night talk show format in 1997 with Movers and Shakers, is back in the space nearly three decades later. On Friday, he welcomed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as his first guest on his YouTube series Shekhar Tonite. The episode saw him deliver some sharp jibes at everyone from PM Narendra Modi to MP Raghav Chadha.
Fearless Humour Still Defines Him
“I’ve been known for being fearless and that I will maintain that, otherwise I wouldn’t have done the show, ” he says, adding that satire works best when it is intelligent, witty, and not intended to insult. “If you just do it with the intention of bullying, insulting, or humiliating people, they’re bound to take umbrage. But if you do it in a manner which seems rational, logical, where it’s witty, then they take it with a pinch of salt and with a sense of humour,” shares Shekhar.
‘The ultimate compliment’
Back in the ‘90s, Shekar’s mimicry of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his talk show gained popularity. Now, he reveals that Vajpayee himself appreciated the bit. “When (the former PM) met me (at a wedding), he stopped the entire motorcade and got out of the car. He hugged me and said, ‘I record your show, and I watch it every day. When you take off on me, you do my impersonations. I laugh the loudest. Don’t ever stop the show’,” the actor recalls.
He adds, “I should have just hung my boots that day because an actor cannot go beyond that. This is the ultimate compliment that an actor can get. Here was this statesman who had the courage to say this. Otherwise, most of them feel offended.”
‘Someone will always be offended’
Shekhar feels that the show will be ‘like a litmus test’, especially now, when social media can amplify reaction, parody, and satire. “We will have to play it by the ear. (But) there will always be some people who will be offended no matter which way you do it and how you do it,” he says.
Shekhar Suman reacts to relief in 16-year-old court case: "Justice prevails"
2:58 PM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 3, 2026)
Sixteen years after a complaint over a joke on the show Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo led to a case against actor and TV host Shekhar Suman and comedian Bharti Singh, the Bombay High Court has quashed the FIR, bringing relief to the two artistes.
The case dated back to 2010, when an FIR was filed over allegedly offensive remarks made on the Sony TV show. Apart from Suman and Singh, the channel and a scriptwriter were also named as accused. The complaint, filed by a representative of Raza Academy, alleged that Singh had cracked a joke about a Quranic verse on the show, and that Suman, who was associated with the episode, had repeated the verse.
The court has now clarified that the role attributed to Shekhar and Bharti was “too remote” to bring them within the alleged offences, and that no material had been found to show deliberate or malicious intent on their part.
Reacting to the verdict, Suman tells us, “I did not even know about it. It was Bharti who had said something innocuously, with no religious connotation. I wasn’t even part of it, but was unnecessarily dragged into the matter to gain publicity.”
The actor says he is relieved by the court’s decision. “I’m extremely thankful to the honourable judge who trashed the case,” he says, adding that he was unaware the matter was still going on. “It came as a surprise. I had long forgotten about it. I wasn’t sent a notice or asked to appear for my stand. Thank God for that. Imagine how some people waste the precious time of court and hassle innocent citizens. Justice prevails.”
No rancour with Kangana Ranaut; want to be a bridge between politics and films-Shekhar Suman
9:57 AM
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 19, 2024)
Actor-politician Shekhar Suman is willing to let bygones be bygones with actor Kangana Ranaut for the sake of “the greater good”. Stepping into his new role for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he is willing to forget the public fallout the Suman family had with Ranaut after his son, actor Adhyayan Suman had a breakup with her in 2008.
“Ideologically, we can work in tandem — we don’t have to work together,” says Suman, adding, “But yes, there is no rancour. Let’s be more human, rather than just holding on to the past. Things happen in the heat of the moment and then people go about doing their jobs. Let’s forget it.”
In addition to mending fences with Ranaut, the 61-year-old also plans to act as an “intermediary” between the political system and the film industry. “There is always a way around a problem. If there is a deficiency somewhere, some lack of understanding, I can be the bridge. I can try and bring about a sense of rationality,” says Suman, who was seen in Heeramandi.
Authorities raising objections to scenes in films or titles is common, and Suman hopes to help all parties involved reach the “middle point” in such situations. “The aim should be to solve the problem, and if you are wrong, then accept it without any hesitation. You have to raise your voice, but do it in amicably,” he says, adding that from the political POV, looking down on films for unfounded reasons is uncalled for. “The thing started with ‘They are druggies’, ‘There is nepotism’. That is not right! It is a part of it but it is a part of any profession. There are so many good people in the industry who are making fantastic films,” he wraps up.
Yeh toh mera farz hai, says Shekhar Suman on campaigning for Kangana Ranaut
8:35 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 9, 2024)
Shekhar Suman is one of the latest actors to join the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). On Tuesday, he became a part of the same party as actor Kangana Ranaut, his son, actor Adhyayan Suman’s ex-girlfriend. She will be contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
During his induction into BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi, Shekhar was asked if he’d be open to campaigning for Kangana in Mandi. He told IANS, “Agar bulayengi toh kyun nahin jayenge? Yeh toh mera farz hai, aur haq bhi.”
Kangana and Adhyayan met and fell in love while working for Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2008). The couple had an ugly split after a short period, with Shekhar alleging Kangana performed black magic on Adhyayan.
However, earlier this year, Shekhar extended an olive branch to Kangana in a Zoom interview, stating, “We are not holding on to anything at all. Not the family, not Adhyayan. It was a phase.”
My father said there is light at the end of the tunnel; for me, Sanjay Leela Bhansali became the light-Adhyayan Suman
8:26 AM
After going without work for seven years, Adhyayan hopes to revive his career as he joins dad Shekhar for SLB’s Heeramandi
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 30, 2024)
The Diamond Bazaar is a delectable package of many surprises. In his maiden web series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has brought together an eclectic bunch of actors. While Farida Jalal returns to screen after a decade, it also features Fardeen Khan, who was last seen in Dulha Mil Gaya (2010). Among other things, it also stars father-son duo Shekhar and Adhyayan Suman together on screen. Shekhar plays the flamboyant Nawab Zulfiqar, who is in love with Manisha Koirala’s character Mallikajaan, and his son steps into the shoes of Zorawar, a mean, brutal nawab.
Netflix’s ambitious series is centred on six female actors—Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal—but Shekhar asserts that the male characters aren’t ornamental.
“The dynamics between the tawaifs and the nawabs were intimate. It is quintessentially the story of the courtesans and how they wielded power, but these women derived their power from the men. Nawabs were skilled mercenaries, who allied with the British to get power and titles. My character has a hint of arrogance. He adds to the politics of Heeramandi. He is in love with Mallikajaan, but doesn’t shy away from [threatening] her when she doesn’t bow to him,” says the actor.
If fate had worked out differently, Shekhar would have collaborated with Bhansali over two decades ago on Devdas (2002). He recalls, “I came close to working with Mr Bhansali in Devdas when he called me for the role of Chunnilal. I couldn’t do it then because of my workload. But since then, whenever we met, I told him that I would love to work with him when the opportunity presented itself.” And it did in Heeramandi, a period drama about the courtesans of Lahore. It was doubly joyful to work on the project as Shekhar has always had an affinity for history.
“I love historical movies made in India. When I met Mr Bhansali, he was looking for a good actor who had knowledge of the era. Also, he wanted to go for an unusual casting. I knew of Heeramandi for years because it’s written by my friend Moin Beg. He [SLB] is an intense filmmaker who puts passion, pomp, grandeur and everything into the story.”
The light at the end of the tunnel
For the senior Suman, Heeramandi may be the realisation of his wish to work with Bhansali. But for Adhyayan, it is more than a show; to him, it is a ray of hope that pulled him out of darkness and despair. The actor hit headlines early on in his career when he featured in Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009), but soon had to make do with forgettable films. It hasn’t been an easy run, he admits.
“There have been days I have been broken, I wanted to give up. It sounds dark, but I didn’t want to live anymore. Acting was something I was very passionate about. Unfortunately, [work] dwindled in 15 years. I became a star with a successful film and then 12 films didn’t work. I have not worked for seven years. I went through rejection after rejection. I would wonder, ‘Kal kya hoga?’ The day I stopped chasing, things began to work out.”
After watching Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), he nursed the desire to work with the filmmaker. “In a few weeks, Shruti Mahajan [casting director] called to say that sir is casting for Heeramandi. My father would always say that there is light at the end of the tunnel; for me, Bhansali sir became the light. When Shruti called, I was in the Himalayas. I stopped on the road in the hills, and recorded my audition.”
When he initially wasn’t chosen for the part, Adhyayan was admittedly “heartbroken for two months.” “However, on a Saturday afternoon, I was called to meet sir. His words were, ‘Bachcha, I will see you on set tomorrow.’”
Different actors, different approaches
On set, the two actors and their characters were as different as chalk and cheese. Through Zulfiqar, Shekhar had to bring alive a character whose love for Mallikajaan was more about power and less about romance.
He breaks it down, “There was a lot of uneasy love on paper and a lot that Mr Bhansali added on set. He is a director who changes the interpretation when the shot flows. I have known Manisha for years, so there was chemistry. Manisha is accomplished, she knew how to be Mallikajaan and that made the energy between her and the nawab easy [to create].”
Adhyayan, however, decided to play his part more emotionally and less technically. His process was personal. Guiding him through the role was his father who sat and read lines with him all night. “Zorawar is debauched, grey, looks down upon the women in Heeramandi; he makes a woman believe he is in love with her and marries another person. A scene in the second episode changed my life. Bhansali sir got up after my performance and cried. I have been waiting for 15 years for an opportunity, and now that I had the opportunity, I couldn’t not be sincere. The character’s language came from my father. Bhansali sir is so sharp, he caught that my father has been working with me off set. One day, I was giving my cues to Manisha ji and sir said, ‘Iske baap ne sikhaya hai isko.’ I was rehearsing with dad from 1 am to 6 am, and at 8 am I was on set.”
Let your work speak
Over the years, the industry has heard more than its share of rumours about Adhyayan. Much of the dialogue about him has been about his off-screen life than on-screen work. The actor hopes that with the web series, the audience will see the artiste in him. He has already noticed a change in his co-actors.
“One night, Richa came home with me to prep for a major sequence that was to be shot the next day. When she went home, she sent me a long text saying, ‘I had these preconceived notions about you being a spoilt star kid, someone who is not serious about his art and got it easy. So much has changed in you. Hats off to you!’ Her validation made me emotional. The lack of opportunities has not let people take me seriously. People have said to my face, ‘We thought you do drugs.’ I wasted a lot of time looking for answers to where the rumours started. Now it is all behind me.”
Choosing art over comedy
We also hope to see more of Shekhar, whom we used to see every day on the tube in our growing-up years as he hosted the popular Movers & Shakers. Considering we are in the midst of the election season, why wouldn’t he give his audience just another season of the crackling show filled with political humour?
The actor-host says, “Movers & Shakers was a cult show. But it has probably resulted in the undoing of an actor. That imagery is so strong that it has been tough to imagine me as an actor. Unfortunately, I am good at comedy. I would love to do that now, especially in the election season. I want to do it sporadically, not continuously. It would hamper my growth as an actor.”
No one can shake my faith after the validation I received from Sanjay Leela Bhansali-Adhyayan Suman
8:18 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 24, 2023)
After being a part of the film industry for 15 years, Adhyayan Suman is finally finding his foothold here. His way up till here has seen moments of joy but a lot of turbulence and heartbreak, too. While his father, actor Shekhar Suman, has always been like rock-solid support, Adhyayan says nothing was ‘served to him on a platter’. However, he believes that his time is now. He made an impact in a brief role with Prakash Jha’s web series ‘Aashram’ and will be seen playing a key role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming web series, Heeramandi. He talks to us about how he wants to put the past behind him and move ahead. Excerpts...
‘It’s not like everything was served to me on a platter’
Elaborating on his journey so far, Adhyayan shares, “People want to hear about your journey only when you are successful, and until that happens, your failures and struggles are not taken seriously, especially when you come from a background where they feel that everything has been served to you on a platter. So, instead of talking about my struggles and journey, I put my blinders on, did everything with faith, and kept moving forward.”
‘Aashram’ happened to me when there was no work’
Life for Adhyayan took a turn when Prakash Jha offered him the role of Tinka Singh in ‘Aashram’. He says, “The series came my way when there was no work. However, the insecurity of being on a show with an ensemble cast crept in. Would I be noticed? When the show dropped, I was stunned to see myself in just three scenes. I told my father that my life was over, but he said my opening scene in the show would change my life. And he was so right! Around 20 days after Aashram dropped, my life changed. Jis film ka main hero raha hoon uss mein mujhe itni tareef nahi mili jitni mujhe ek scene mein mili hai.”
‘Being on Bhansali sir’s set felt surreal’
One of the highs of his career is bagging a project helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Adhyayan says, “Being on his set felt surreal. I was nervous but also felt a sense of accomplishment after having gone through a period where I was hurt and belittled by others. After shooting a massive scene with Manisha ji (Koirala), Mr Bhansali hugged me, and I was told that he seldom has this moment. Now, no one can shake my faith after the validation I received from Bhansali Sir. His praise is a medal of honour, and for me, it is bigger than an Oscar. This kind of learning cannot come from a school.”
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“Nasty stories were created around me after Raaz 2. A big producer told someone who wished to cast me that though I was a good actor, I was extremely difficult to work with and didn’t report to work on time. If that were true, why would Mahesh Bhatt give me another film?”
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“I might be living a luxurious life, but that’s because of my father. For someone passionate about his craft, even a five-star house can feel like a jail.”
Dekh Bhai Dekh was way ahead of its time; such are not being made now-Vishal Singh
8:33 AM
Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; May 7, 2023)
It was in May, three decades ago, when Dekh Bhai Dekh introduced the Diwan family and in no time, the show became an important part of many people’s evening routine. The members of the Diwan family not just made people laugh with their silly antics and subtle humour, but left such a mark that even after 30 years, their names still make people smile. The iconic show still evokes nostalgia and is remembered as one of most popular sitcoms of the ’90s, with a stellar cast that included names like Farida Jalal, Navin Nischol, Sushma Seth and Deven Bhojani.
As the show completes three decades this year, three actors who started their showbiz journey with the show tell us what makes Dekh Bhai Dekh one of the most loved sitcoms even after so many years.
A SIMPLE, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN SHOW THAT KIND OF WRITINGIS NOT THERE ANYMORE: AMAR UPDHYAY
Amar Upadhyay made his acting debut with Dekh Bhai Dekh and says that he owes a lot to it. It helped him meet his mentor, Aanand Mahendroo (director of the show), gave him a chance to work with actors like Shekhar Suman, Farida Jalal and others and gave direction to his acting career.
“I remember that Aanand Mahendroo saw my pictures and contacted me and asked me if I had acted before. I told him that I had done some commercials. He told me that doing a TV show is a lot different and asked me to repeat some lines after him. I did that and the next day I was on the sets! I was shooting with senior actors like Shekhar Suman and Farida Jalal, who I had only seen on screen till then,” says Amar, adding, “I was introduced in the show in the eighth or ninth episode and a few days after that, my mom and aunt were travelling in a train and they overheard some people talking about Sahil Chachu (his character), and that he had a pleasant personality. And that was such a happy moment for my mom. So that show gave me an identity. ”
He adds that the best part about the show was its writing. “Even after generations when we will talk about TV comedy writing, we will talk about Dekh Bhai Dekh. It was simple, pure humour, and it was a beautifully written show. We don’t see that kind of writing anymore. Aanand Mahendroo was writing in the morning, shooting in the noon and editing it himself at night,” says Amar.
PEOPLE HAD AN INSTANTANT CONNECT WITH THE DIWANS: URVASHI DHOLAKIA
Urvashi Dholakia was in Class X when she started shooting for the show and remembers how she would finish her school at 1pm and rush for the shoot at RK Studios. “I was a very quiet girl and the character I was playing, Shilpa, was the complete opposite, so I enjoyed playing it. It was one of the first sitcoms with so many senior actors – Farida ji, Sushma Seth ji, Liliput ji, Satish Shah ji. Now when I think of it, it is rare that one gets so lucky to work with such a cast,” says Urvashi, adding that even after so many years, people talk to her about Dekh Bhai Dekh.
“Almost every day someone approaches me or writes to me on social media about how much they miss Dekh Bhai Dekh or how much they loved the show. I think anyone who watched the show had an instant connect with the Diwan family, the setting was so realistic – we didn’t have those extravagant sets, the characters in that show were so relatable. The show will always remain special and maybe I will watch the show again soon with my children now,” says Urvashi.
THE WAY IT PRESENTED DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IN A HUMOROUS WAY WAS EXCELLENT: VISHAL SINGH
For Vishal Singh, the sets of Dekh Bhai Dekh was no less than an acting school. “I learnt so much from working with so many senior actors,” says Vishal, adding that a lot of thought went into making each episode.
“Those kind of shows are not being made now. There was a lot of creative freedom and the team worked hard to ensure that each episode was different and perfect. It was one of the first few shows to have a three camera set up at that time. It was way ahead of its time, both in terms of writing and technical aspects. The production team would spend around two-three days on one episode to make sure that the quality was unmatched,” says Vishal.
Vishal says that everyone he met found the characters relatable. “The way it presented day-to-day life in a humorous way was excellent. I remember we had to shoot a scene where I was falling from the stairs and we took 60 takes to get that right. I still laugh when I watch that scene,” adds Vishal.
Vishal Singh played Sanjay Diwan and Urvashi Dholakia played his girlfriend Shilpa
I was told people have a problem with my father and would never give me films-Adhyayan Suman
8:13 AM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 9, 2023)
He’s previously talked about how 14 of his films were shelved and he was dropped from several big projects. The bullying that he’s been at the receiving end of, actor Adhyayan Suman surmises, might be “revenge that people are taking from my father, (actor) Shekhar Suman”.
Adhyayan elaborates: “I did not get a lot of films because of a show that my father did, called Movers & Shakers. There were no personal attacks. He just did his job and it was just a show. Though he was given a script for every episode, some got offended because of what he said — and thought, 'Iska badla iske bete se lenge'.”
The 35-year-old recounts being told, “‘Many people have a problem with your father, and they will never give you films’,” divulging that recently, he was dropped from a project at the last minute. “I was approached to play the antagonist in a project with a massive star as the lead. Everything had been discussed and I was expecting a call to discuss clauses for my contract. But suddenly, [the makers] backed out,” Adhyayan recalls, adding that the loss of work is not only crushing for him as an artiste, but also heartbreaking for those close to him.
On what has deterred the Heartless (2014) actor from speaking his mind more often, he says, “Unless and until you are extremely successful like (actor) Priyanka Chopra Jonas, speaking the truth does not make sense. People would say things like, 'Uska toh career pehle hi barbaad hai, uska career kaun sabotage karega?'” he signs off.
Bigg Boss predominantly is a Salman Khan show. I still don’t know why the makers thought of me-Shekhar Suman
2:32 PM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; November 12, 2022)
Back in the business of hosting, actor Shekhar Suman is enjoying every bit of his stint on Bigg Boss 16. In a freewheeling chat, he spoke about BB, bringing back his popular show Movers and Shakers and his upcoming Bollywood film. Excerpts...
Since you are hosting a segment on Bigg Boss now, do you watch the show daily? Have you been following the previous seasons?
I used to watch Bigg Boss sporadically, I was never an avid watcher. But this time, since it is a part of my job, I am watching it religiously. I am not watching it just as an audience, but as a host. I have to study the contestants and their games. They are all very interesting case studies for me.
How did this offer come to you?
It came out of the blue! I still don’t know why the makers thought of me. Bigg Boss predominantly is a Salman Khan show and I wondered what I would do in it; I always thought that there was no space for anybody else as far as hosting BB was concerned. So I had my apprehensions as the show is synonymous with Salman. Also, I am used to doing my own shows and I was like, ‘What the hell am I going to do in someone else’s show’. But then, I was assured that mine is going to be a show within the main show, which I would do all by myself. So I took it up as a challenge and I am enjoying it.
What took you so long to return to hosting?
Well, we are working on bringing back another season of Movers & Shakers. My mother was not well for the past four years, so I got her from Patna to Mumbai and wanted to spend time with her. Last year, unfortunately, I lost her and after that, I did Laughter Challenge and now Bigg Boss. I am also doing a movie with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I have taken up so many projects now.
So when are you bringing back the next season of Movers & Shakers?
Within three months. We are working on that. The show is going to remain the same, only a few segments will change.
------------------------------------
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 12, 2022)
Shekhar Suman has always worked at his own pace. He will do a show, disappear for a while and then come back only to repeat the same process. While he took a sabbatical in 2018 to spend time with his mother, who passed away in 2021, he was recently seen judging a comedy show.
Ask if this behaviour can be risky for actors, as makers and the viewers tend to forget people who are out of sight and the actor disagrees. He believes in the adage ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’. “I think the best litmus test to understand if people love you is to give them something to miss. Go away. If people still want you, that means you are loved. If they have forgotten you, don’t dare come back,” says the 59-year-old.
While on a break, Suman says he was constantly asked, ‘When are you coming back?’, which he describes as the “most loving feeling you can have”. He adds, “When your wife or girlfriend goes away, you immediately call them and tell them that you are missing them. But when they are around, you take them for granted. That breathing space is very important, whether it’s between personal relations or the audience and an actor,” says Suman, who plans to return with his ’90s talk show, Movers & Shakers.
Saying no to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Devdas might have hurt him, but I was helpless-Shekhar Suman
11:04 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 26, 2022)
Shekhar Suman has always been focused on just one thing — not compromising on his principles when it comes to work. And the actor has managed to follow that till this day, even if it meant turning down people and ruffling a few feathers.
However, Suman, who is gearing up for his digital debut with the series AK 47, shares that one’s career is definitely impacted if a few people take your rejection to their offer in the wrong way. “You can’t have it all. You win some, you lose some. In life, you will be kicking a few egos. I remember I was offered the role of Chunni Lal in Devdas (2002). I didn’t want to say no, but I was neck deep in work then. Saying no to Sanjay (Leela Bhansali, director) might have hurt him, but I was helpless,” shares the 59-year-old, who returned to TV after a long absence as a judge on a comedy show.
Suman prefers to tell people straight to their faces if he is not going to do their project, instead of dilly dallying the refusal. That, he feels, helps. “Sometimes, you are frank and say, ‘I don’t like the role’. Those people never come back. Some of them understand where I am coming from. I am being honest, instead of saying things like, ‘Come tomorrow, I am thinking, speak to my secretary’. I decide things instinctively and say no to not doing them. If they feel hurt, too bad; I am not going to do anything about it,” he admits.
Comedians today become a woman, a dog, anything-Shekhar Suman
8:23 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 22, 2022)
Shekhar Suman has dabbled with the comedy genre long enough to comment on what has changed. The actor, anchor, filmmaker and singer notes that the space has changed for the worse. “[Comedians] do something stupid, moronic, become a woman, dog, anything! Humour or comedy is a much deeper subject. You say the most bitter or truest things in a lighter vein. But it has to have a purpose, it can’t be silly. Once in a while, it can be [silly, but not always],” shares Suman, who has been a part of hit comedy shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh, Comedy Circus and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
The 59-year-old points out the space has fallen to a “pedestrian” level, where people insult other people to evoke laughter. “It (comedy) is not just about that or roasting someone about their colour, height or body shape. It’s just about making you (the audience) happy. There are many ways to do it,” explains Suman, adding that pulling someone’s leg is acceptable, but insulting them is not.
“Comedy is like bungee jumping today, it has gone to the absolute pits. There is a lack of entertainers… They are not well-read or educated, that’s why they are going around in a loop, doing the same thing,” he wraps up.
Ahead of Father's Day, three celebrities reveal how their even-fitter dads influenced them
8:05 AM
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; June 15, 2022)
I have his physique: Esha Deol
He [Dharmendra] motivates not only me but also our entire nation. He is the first He-Man of our industry, and all his roles were rooted in athleticism. I am blessed with an athletic physique, and have certain cuts that women rarely do, due to him. In fact, my physique is exactly like his. When I’d play football on the field, my coaches would address me by my father’s name. I’ve been into fitness from a young age because I was influenced by him and my mom.
He has always been proud of me for participating in sports. When I was young, I would wake up at 5 am and train on the beach in football or handball. I would take his advice on exercising, and on correct eating habits. Watching him play badminton as he did also played a role in influencing me. Fitness forms a part of our discussion, even today.
My dad is so inspiring! Even today, he wakes up at 5 am to practise breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation. He enjoys cycling and walks often. He does a lot to stay mentally, emotionally and physically fit, and always reiterates that all the three factors [are important]. I agree with that, and hence also practise activities like martial arts, kick-boxing, and dance, which [cater to] all the three aspects.
He is the biggest, and best example we are living with. He influences our entire family to not only look, but also feel fit. In fact, I’m out of India with my daughter right now, and I see her shop for exercise gear. At such a young age, she says she wants to be in the gym and exercise. Radhya loves action films like The Karate Kid and Wonder Woman. Both my girls enjoy extracurricular physical activities. They are tough girls who enjoy boot-camps, and swimming sessions. The tradition continues in our family.
Taught me to be consistent: Adhyayan Suman
My dad [Shekhar Suman] was always fit, even before his [dramatic] physical transformation in 2009. And while I had lost weight before that, I learnt the value of consistency from him. When he lost weight, nobody expected him to do something like that, especially at that age. People thought he had taken steroids, or gone under the knife. But he hadn’t. That he never gave up on his journey is amazing. I feel proud to be the son of someone who is fit and concerned about his health.
He taught me that consistency is key. No matter how busy he was, he would be found in the gym, when it was time, even if he wasn’t feeling up to it. His focus would never waver, and that’s something I learnt from him.
I admit that I did resort to consuming steroids for a film in 2013. There were pressures from the industry, and my trainers, so I took them. It harmed me, and I said I’d never take the easy way to build my body again. That’s something I discuss with him. My dad feels I exert myself way too much. There would be days when I would wake up and practice spinning for 40 minutes, then lift weights, play tennis, swim and do martial arts. He’d warn me stating that my body would stop responding if I didn’t [revisit] my routine.
I wanted arms as big as his: Karan Deol
My dad’s [Sunny Deol] training regimen was always very intense. He would wake up at 5.30 am and exercise. Often, he would try to wake me up to accompany him. If he had a long day of shooting, he’d come home and train before hitting the bed. He had a real love for sports and would play badminton. From an early age, I was inspired by him, because he did activities that made him feel good, not just look good. He did it because it helped the body stay active, and the mind, sharp. For a bit, I tried to [wake up] and learn karate, but the process would leave me exhausted in school, so I could only sustain it for a while. However, I took to sports in school.
When I was younger, I would tell him that I wanted to lift weights which were as heavy as he did. I wanted arms as big as his. I’d look at his physique and be motivated. I would arm wrestle with him, and while of course I didn’t stand a chance to win, he’d let me win anyway.
When I turned 18, I wanted to hit the gym, and took to CrossFit. I trained with him for a while before appointing a trainer. Today, if I don’t wake up in the morning and exercise for three hours, I feel like my day won’t be good. I do one hour of cardio on the cross-trainer, and skip. I follow it up with one hour of weight-training, and finally boxing. I’m learning boxing for Apne 2 because my character is a boxer. In the process, I started to enjoy boxing and find the drills exciting.
I’ve not been seen [in this physique], so this film will showcase my physical and mental transformation to look like a heavy-weight boxer. The one thing that I’ve learnt is that you can’t wake up saying you’re feeling tired. Your mind will try to persuade you to take a break, but each day that you don’t listen to it and head for the training is a day of growth.
You don’t need to use abusive words or derogatory language to make people laugh-Shekhar Suman
9:18 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 22, 2022)
he past year has been tough for Shekhar Suman, who lost his mother in June 2021. He went into a shell and it took a lot of effort to slowly return to normalcy. He says, “My mother relocated from Patna to live with me in Mumbai in 2015 because I insisted on it, as she wasn’t keeping well. The last few years with her were blissful. I used to cook food for her, and we would have great conversations. My life revolved around her. Last year, she passed away, and I was again struck with grief because I lost my father a few years back, and I have dealt with the loss of my son in the past, too. After my father and son, when my mother passed away, it was very difficult for me and for a long time, I did not work or meet anyone.”
Shekhar has now resumed work and will soon be seen in India's Laughter Champion as a judge along with Archana Puran Singh. He says, “Archana and I did three films together, and funnily, those films ran into some trouble when they were ready for release. Archana is a wonderful colleague and we gel well together. I am glad that finally, we are judging a show together.”
Ask Shekhar about comedy shows on TV, and he says, “I feel that comedy is not supposed to be loud. You don’t need to use abusive words or derogatory language to make people laugh. I enjoy clean humour and feel that it is possible to make people laugh in the simplest way. TV used to have good comedy shows, like Dekh Bhai Dekh, but we don’t have that kind of content anymore. I think it is time for humour to evolve and newer talent to take over and be part of comedy shows.”
Talking about the current phase where different mediums have opened up, he says, “Like everyone else, I feel that these are exciting times for those actors who did character-driven roles. I also feel that star power will diminish, and it will be more about actors, who will be remembered for their characters, whether it is films or OTT. In the past two years, the audience has woken up to the fact that they want to see newer content with actors who are focussed on good acting rather than just star power. Even in the past, among the huge number of starry films, when there would be a film featuring a Nawazuddin Siddiqui or Irrfan Khan, people would find it refreshing and loved watching it.”
Shekhar, who has also done a few web shows, does not feel that the digital medium will impact the power of the big screen. He says, “People will continue watching films in theatres and also watch shows on OTT. In this, maybe, TV might take a backseat because the content on TV needs to improve.”
Bollywood divided over Rhea Chakraborty's arrest
8:30 AM
A step for justice or needless vilification? We ask celebs who have been vocal about the Sushant Singh Rajput case
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 10, 2020)
Supporting The Arrest
Kamya Panjabi
I saw people celebrating on social media that ‘she’s been arrested for drug abuse, not murder’, but drug abuse is illegal, too! If they don’t arrest her, what message will they give to the youth? Also, Rhea kya doodh peeti bacchi hai ki drugs laane ke liye force kar diya? The said person is not here to defend himself, you can say just anything. Now you will say ki muh mein drugs daal diya tha.
Samir Soni
There isn’t any other way of looking at it. This case has become like a can of worms, which started off with how did Sushant die. The drug aspect can’t be ignored, the underworld dealings and stuff. We gave local authorities almost two months to figure out, we should give CBI, NCB and ED at least a few months. I am happy with the way the case is going. It won’t be comfortable for a lot of people perhaps, but it is what it is.
Shekhar Suman
As per NCB’s investigation, Rhea was procuring drugs and was in touch with peddlers, so the arrest is justified. But whether she is connected to a cartel is yet to be proven. The drug angle can be a parallel investigation... We should focus on the primary investigation of the reason behind Sushant’s death. The general sentiment was that Rhea should be arrested, but I feel the media trial was not correct. We should shut up now and let the agencies do their job.
Against The Arrest
Swara Bhasker
Rhea’s being targeted in a media trial fuelled by a social media lynch mob, led by people with their own agendas. She’s being made a scapegoat for voyeuristic pleasure. I’ve always maintained that the law of the land must be allowed to function in a rational and impartial manner. And as far as I know, Rhea is cooperating with all the investigations.
Sayani Gupta
It’s unbelievable what’s happening with Rhea and her family. There’s not an iota of empathy. We have a judiciary for a reason. If she’s proven guilty, punish her, but this isn’t the way. This witch hunt must stop. It seems people have already made up their mind that she’s guilty. Let law take its course.
Hansal Mehta
I stand in solidarity with Rhea. I am as pained as I’d be about my own child. It’s disturbing to see such harassment and misogyny that has failed us, as a society. All the top agencies of the country have been working on the case but still nothing has been proven. It’s also painful to hear someone casually saying that the entire industry does drugs.
Rhea Chakraborty opening up is an image cleaning drive-Shekhar Suman
8:42 AM
Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 31, 2020)
Shekhar Suman says the Sushant Singh Rajput death case is going all over the place. Too many rumours and discrepancies in statements have turned it into a maze. But what has added to all these, is Rhea Chakraborty talking to the media after staying mum for over two months.
Calling it a “PR stunt” the actor adds, “What she did is called cleaning up the image in front of a huge audience so that they sympathise and say ‘Oh she has been demonised’, etc. Everybody needs a chance to share their side of the story, so does she. But what took her 60-70 days to come out?”
Suman took to social media to voice his discontent. “I must confess for a moment I was deceived by her performance and fell for her well-rehearsed emotionality..i got swayed by her tears and display of immaculate, manicured histrionics…,” he tweeted.
The 57-year-old clarifies he isn’t passing judgements. “You can’t call anyone a criminal unless s/he is convicted. My point is if Rhea hasn’t done anything then what took her so long to come out? Watching her interview, I felt all her answers were well rehearsed except when she said she never did drugs,” he adds.
Suman continues, “It’s a mess right now. People are running a business out of it... Let’s just focus on understanding what took Sushant’s life.”
I feel Sandip Ssingh should come out and speak his side of the story. Running away will lead to more speculation-Shekhar Suman
8:34 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 30, 2020)
For the last few days, producer Sandip Ssingh is drawing a lot of attention in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, with allegations of foul play being levelled against him by social media users and TV channels reporting that he was planning to leave the country. While Sushant Singh Rajput’s family members have reportedly stated that they don’t know him, he was seen handling all the formalities at the hospital post Sushant’s demise and even made arrangements for the actor’s funeral.
Literally caught off guard, Sandip was seen dodging the cameras on Friday. Actor Shekhar Suman, who had started the Justice For Sushant Forum, speaks to BT about his equation with Sandip Ssingh. Excerpts:
Tell us about your equation with Sandip Ssingh...
He was the producer of Sanjay Dutt’s Bhoomi (2017). We spent a month shooting in Agra together. I have known him for longer than that, though it was off and on. He had contacted my son Adhyayan for a movie, which didn’t work out, but that is how it began. There was a professional relationship. Going by my equation with him, I felt he was a fun-loving guy who was totally engrossed with a lot of projects of his own, and he knew people and people knew him in the film industry. That was it. These recent developments have come as a huge surprise. Let the investigation go on and let’s see what happens. But before this, there was nothing abnormal or unusual about him that I noticed.
Did he ever mention to you that he was a close friend of Sushant?
No, he never mentioned anything, except once in a casual conversation, he had spoken about how Ranveer Singh got Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. He did mention that these films had gone to several actors and one of them was Sushant, who had turned them down. I asked him why Sushant would do that to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films. He said, ‘I don’t know, maybe he didn’t like the role or something.’ Why I remember this is because one would give an arm and a leg to work with that filmmaker. This was a casual chat and I really don’t know how close he was with Sushant or anyone else. Lately, he was planning another film with Sanjay Dutt called Blockbuster. We have had a couple of close friends chatting about it. He was excited about this project, which was to be produced by Anand Pandit. He would talk about this movie. In fact, I don’t think I had much of an interaction with him when he was making the film, PM Narendra Modi, though I used to read about the film in the newspapers.
So, how did both of you touch base again after Sushant’s death? You even visited Sushant’s family in Patna at their residence along with Sandip...
I saw him on TV, managing everything around Sushant. I didn’t want to call him right then, because I felt it wasn’t the right time to do that. I started tweeting about Sushant on my own. I interpreted his demise differently from day one. I felt there is more to it than meets the eye. I felt a different sort of a connection — he was a Bihari boy, people could barely make it to his funeral because of the Coronavirus situation and I am someone who has lost a son years ago. I wanted to meet Sushant’s father and share his grief. I have lived with my tragedy for years now and I haven’t been able to get over it. My family asked me why I was getting so involved, and that I should not go to Patna in the thick of the pandemic. I said to them, ‘Let me speak to Sandip, maybe he knows the family.’ I called him. That is the first time I asked him what had happened really and he said, ‘I will tell you later.’ I asked if there was a way to meet Sushant’s father K K Singh. Sandip told me that he was planning to go to Patna after the terahvi, post June 28. I said, ‘Fair enough. Can you please let them know that I will be coming, too?’ And that’s how we went. It would have been awkward to go just like that. In Patna, I stayed with my cousins at my maternal granny’s house and he stayed elsewhere. I think it was on June 29 that we went to Sushant’s house. We didn’t exchange words with the family. We just sat there for 10 minutes. I wanted to meet (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar for some political support for my Justice For Sushant Forum. I remember Sandip had asked me, ‘Why do you want to go ahead with this forum?’ I had said, ‘I want to, because I feel there is foul play and I should fight for it, instead of looking the other way.’ No one was talking about it at that time. It was my battle and I was okay with it being that way. I again asked him what had happened. He said, ‘I think it is suicide.’ I didn’t delve further into it. I met Tejashwi Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal leader), since Nitish Kumar could not make it, and told him about the forum. Prior to this meeting, Sandip, in fact, had asked me if I wanted to get Sushant’s father on to it and I said, ‘No. Later, if he wants to, he can be a part of it.’ After the press conference with Tejashwi in Patna, I didn’t speak to Sandip. And then he got into the thick of things as they are now. You see, I knew Sushant as a co-competitor from a reality show in 2010. But that was it. He had not even joined films. He was in the transition phase. I remembered him as a sweet boy. I don’t think I ever met him again after that, but I did watch some of his films.
Sushant’s family and friends have been saying that they don’t know Sandip Ssingh. How did he then make arrangements for the Patna visit?
There is a contradiction in this. From the footage that I saw on TV, he was seen with his arm around Sushant’s grieving sister. It seemed that he knew the family. He had even taken Ankita (Lokhande) to meet his family, so obviously he knew them. Also, I think for him, it’s not a big deal. And, when we went to Patna, everything was arranged and his family knew I was coming over.
On Friday, Sandip ran from the scene when he saw TV cameras following him. Reportedly, he has been dodging cameras by changing his locations, and not going to the house where he lives. Why do you think he is doing this?
I have no idea. Maybe because of the pressure and the intense media trial; anyone would be scared, especially if one feels he or she is getting cornered. But if you are honest, you should just come out and speak. That goes for everyone who knows Sushant or has anything to say. There is no need to hide and avoid speaking up. I feel Sandip should just come out and speak his side of the story like he did earlier. Running away will only lead to more speculation as to what it is that he is hiding. The investigating agencies will eventually make people speak and they will have to answer. They should come out and say it anyway. There is nothing to fear if you have been honest and have done no wrong.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s family had to file an FIR as they weren’t happy with investigation-Shekhar Suman
8:34 AM
Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 31, 2020)
While one wonders what took the family so long to suspect foul play, Suman says, “They’ve waited long enough, for 44 days before taking this step. Somewhere, they weren’t convinced and were waiting for what would come out in the [ongoing] investigation. If this is a simple case of suicide, what took Mumbai Police so long to solve it?” he asks.
Suman says everyone feels Mumbai Police was trying to hide evidence. “No one was kept in the loop about the investigation. The family was helpless and had to file a FIR with Bihar police,” says the actor, who’s “disappointed” that the FIR says this is abetment for suicide.
“This is pre-meditated cold blooded murder. All circumstances and prima facie evidences point towards foul play,” he asserts.
Since the very first day of Rajput’s demise, it has been reported that he was suffering from depression. To this, Suman retorts, “It’s also been said that he was bipolar. Don’t we all face depression at some point or the other? Do we take our lives because of that? Though I don’t think he was suffering from any of these illnesses, even if he was, how do you prove that he committed suicide due to that?” he questions.
Much like others, Suman, too, feels that in absence of a suicide note, it’s wrong to conclude anything and agrees that the case has been politicised to an extent.
Reports have been alleging that Suman has political motive behind fighting this battle for Rajput. “If I had such inclinations, I would have done that directly. I held a non-political press conference in Bihar, met the political leaders because I wanted to pressure Mumbai Police. I lost my 11-year-old son so I know the pain,” he tells us.
On Kangana Ranaut also seeking justice for Rajput, Suman, 57, says, “It doesn’t matter who’s doing it as long as justice is served. We just need the truth to be out soon. We’ll finally get the honest closure.”
Sushant Singh Rajput's family is being misguided-Shekhar Suman
8:59 AM
After Sushant Singh Rajput's kin indicate that Shekhar Suman is gaining political mileage from star's death, the actor claims RJD presser was to seek support for CBI inquiry
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 3, 2020)
Earlier this week, actor Shekhar Suman visited Sushant Singh Rajput's family in Patna, following it up with a strategically-timed press conference with the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav. The move did not go down well with the Rajput family, who accused him of politicising the actor's death.Back in Mumbai after the visit, Suman is taken aback that his intentions are being questioned. "It's idiotic that people think I have ulterior motives," says the veteran actor-host, who had bonded with Rajput during Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 in 2010.
On June 23, Suman launched Justice For Sushant Forum to demand a CBI inquiry into the actor's death. He states that his Patna trip was to "muster support" for the online initiative. Why did he feel the need to conduct a press conference with Yadav? "It was to further the cause of the CBI inquiry. Political support can help. I also wanted to call on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but due to Coronavirus restrictions, the meeting could not be held."
A section of Singh's fans have alleged that Suman is furthering his political ambitions through the episode. "Just because Bihar goes to the polls in October, people are assuming that I have vested interests," rues Suman, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election from the Patna Sahib constituency. "Over the years, I have got feelers to enter the fray, but I turned them down. I will seek support from leaders of different parties for the forum."
He empathises with the late actor's father K K Singh. "I can relate to his grief, I have also lost a child [elder son Ayush]. If his family is upset with me, they are being misguided, or there has been a misunderstanding. Most people shed tears on Twitter and move on after a tragedy. I don't want to."
Suman with RJD's Tejashwi Yadav
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