Veteran performer Shekhar Suman, who stepped into movies as a young man of 21 opposite the legendary Rekha in the artistic drama Utsav, has opened up about his long path in show business and the major shifts he has witnessed in Indian filmmaking over four decades.
The 62-year-old star, famous for his work in popular television comedies and as a sharp host of chat programs, recently returned to scripted roles with the series Heeramandi. In an in-depth conversation, he looked back at how fortune played a big role in his rise while sharing frank views on today’s movie scene.
Shekhar Suman considers himself fortunate to have landed his debut project so quickly after arriving in Mumbai back in 1983. He landed the lead part in Girish Karnad’s Utsav alongside big names like Shashi Kapoor, Amjad Khan, Anupam Kher, and Neena Gupta within just 15 days. “I guess I was plain lucky. There is something called destiny,” he noted, stressing that being in the proper productions at the right moment matters hugely for any artist.
Following Utsav, more film chances came his way including titles like Nache Mayuri, Sansar, and Tridev. When movie offers slowed in the 1990s, he smoothly switched to the small screen and enjoyed major triumphs there too, such as in the beloved family sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh chosen by Jaya Bachchan and the series Reporter. He later became a familiar face hosting the popular late-night program Movers & Shakers.
After focusing mainly on entertainment-based programs like The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Comedy Circus for some time, Shekhar Suman made a comeback to acting through Heeramandi in 2024 and has taken on fresh assignments since then. Reflecting on the evolution of the business across his career, he praised the technical progress but pointed out a key shortcoming.
“Technically, we have become as good as any in the world. But somewhere we lack that originality,” Shekhar Suman observed. He explained that many performers remain trapped in fixed personas, while creators face money-related stresses that push them toward proven patterns rather than fresh ideas.
The experienced artist strongly criticized the reliance on standard recipes in popular films today. He labeled current directors as copy artists instead of innovative creators in the mold of greats such as K. Asif, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, or Raj Kapoor. Their timeless works like Gunga Jumna, Mughal-E-Azam, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Pyaasa, and Mera Naam Joker continue to impress audiences decades later precisely because they sprang from genuine vision.
Shekhar Suman highlighted that the main difference now lies in prioritizing commercial wins over artistic excellence. “That’s not a good sign. We have to return to being original and stick to our strengths and DNA. That’s very important,” he urged, calling for a shift back to authentic storytelling.
Meanwhile, the multifaceted talent is busy with his latest talk program titled Shekhar Tonite, which started airing on YouTube recently with fresh visitors every week. The first episode featured Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and upcoming ones will include well-known faces from the entertainment world such as Bobby Deol, Manoj Bajpayee, Ali Fazal, and Farah Khan.
