Chat Transcript:Shekhar Suman

Transcript of INDIATIMES LIVE CHAT with Actor, Shekar Suman at 3pm on Thursday, July 27,
2006 in Mumbai

"I am as fed up of comedy as Bihar was with Lallu Prasad Yadav."

Shekar Suman
Actor

Hilton> Hi Shekhar! We heard that you are doing a movie 'Moonlight' with Perizad Zorabian? Tell us about your character in the movie
Shekar Suman> I play an Ad executive by the name of Ashok Sehgal, who gets trapped by wanna be actress. It's a story of one night and what happens by the next morning.

Aishu> I am a big fan of yours. I loved your Poll-Khol and bandru . You are the pride of Bihar. Please do something to improve the image of Bihar. Good luck, may God take you to newer heights of success.
Shekar Suman> Thank you so much. I think I am persistently trying to improve the image of Bihar. And as you may have noticed Poll-Khol was successful in ousting Rabri Devi and Lallu Prasad from Bihar, which I think is a good beginning.

Hilton> How do you react when people call you Indian Jay Leno or even worse Jerry Springer?
Shekar Suman> (Laughs) I think it's a terrible allegation and all comparisons are odious. I believe in myself and all my shows express that belief and that individuality. There is a world of difference between Jay leno and me. And nobody in the world should be compared with him.

Sadzaf> Tell me something about your family background and education?
Shekar Suman> I come from a middle class conservative family from Bihar. My father is a professor of surgery and has just retired from the director of health services from Bihar. I am the only son with three sisters. Two of them are settled in USA and one stays in New Delhi. I am happily married with one son Ahyan who studies in Mayfield School in London. I have done my Graduation with history honours from Delhi University and a diploma in acting from the Shriram Centre for art and culture.

Raj> Do you still want to act in great movies like Anubhav?
Shekar Suman> If I get the opportunities I will. I think Anubhav was a great film and I would love to do a sequel of that.

Vaibhav> Hi Shekhar! How are you? Do you think your current season of Great Indian Laughter Challenge will be able to maintain the popularity chart? Don't you think "Movers and Shakers" was far better and was really appreciated?
Shekar Suman> I am fine thank you. Thank you so much for the nice compliment. Yes as an individual if you ask me in terms of concept, look and attitude, Movers and Shakers was far ahead. It dealt with more intelligent issues of life and dealt more with satire than comedy. On the other hand Laughter Challenge is not my show as it belongs to the performers. I am just a judge there and I think the show is very popular.

Geek> What are you doing nowadays apart from judging The Great Indian Laughter Challenge?
Shekar Suman> I am on to the biggest mission of my life which is singing. I have been training myself for the last two years in classical music. I have just cut an album called Rang . It would release in September and I am very excited about it. It might prove to be a turning point in my career.

Anjana> Shekhar Suman has become a household name. You have created a separate niche for yourself in which there are only you. Do you think you need to achieve something more in your life? Is there something more that you want to do?
Shekar Suman> Thank you so much for the kind words. I think life is a series of challenge and you cannot at any point of your life say that you have achieved everything. I think there new horizons to be conquered, new challenges to be taken up and evolve as an actor constantly. I am moving back towards movies and singing is something which I want to take up seriously. So watch out for my album, Rang in September.

Sadzaf> What is that attracts you most, the beauty of a person or the nature of a person?
Shekar Suman> True beauty of a person is his/her nature. As they say; beauty is just skin deep.

Brishketu> I came to know that you wish to open a hospital in Patna. How far have you gone with that dream? I would suggest you to take assistance from NRIs and common man to fulfill your dream. Good luck and God Bless.
Shekar Suman> Thank you so much. I am very emotionally attached to this dream of opening a hospital in Patna. The chief minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar has assured all help but I would also need a lot of financial help from NRIs and other people. With people like you I am sure I will get all the help and support that I need.

Raj> Shekar have you thought of directing your own full length comedy movie with yourself in one of the possible lead roles. I guess I would buy a ticket for that!
Shekar Suman> It's so sweet of you (laughs). One day I hope to live to fulfill your promise. As of now I am as fed up of comedy as Bihar was with Lallu Prasad Yadav.

Bindaas> You have seen so many ups and downs in your life. What is it that keeps you going?
Shekar Suman> I think my resilience, my faith in god and myself.

Kidooo> Will like to act in another sequel of Dekh Bhai Dekh as lovable chachu.
Shekar Suman> Yes definitely, except that it would be difficult to get the ensemble of actors together again .

Money_Mam> How do you improve on your acting?
Shekar Suman> I think by constantly learning, watching movies and constantly thinking about it.

Extrapower> Hi Shekhar! What do you plan to do once you attain 80 years age?
Shekar Suman> Thank you so much for letting me know that I have long life...When I am 80, I think I would probably be more involved in the social issues of our country and work towards upliftment and betterment of our society.

Vaibhav> One personal question! What inspired you to your current hair style? It reminds us of "Lalu"! Please try some other style. It doesn't suit your personality. We see you as a person with elegance and style.
Shekar Suman> As an actor I think I have to constantly experiment with my looks. Thank you for your suggestion, I will keep that in mind.

Raj> What do you want to be remembered as professionally - Shekhar the superstar/actor/singer/host/comedian/director.
Shekar Suman> I think as an actor as he is a combination of all that you have mentioned.

Dev> Hi Shekhar! I am great fan of yours; can you tell me how you used to handle celebrity in Movers and Shakers so smoothly?
Shekar Suman> I think basically you have to make all the celebrity comfortable and make them feel important. Tell them that the biggest asset in your life is the ability to laugh at yourself and then little later they would be cracking jokes at themselves.

Mychatname> From where do you learn the funky English words and how do you manage to speak so fast?
Shekar Suman> I think it's my natural ability. I have a flair for language and as far as the speed is concerned. I think it's come with a lot of practice.

Extrapower> Hi Shekhar how would you comment on the Mumbai blast?
Shekar Suman> I think it was the most cowardly and dastardly act of terrorism and I condemn it very strongly and I hope god gave all these unknown faces of fear a sense of humanity and brotherhood. So they don't indulge in this heinous crime again.

Kidooo> Had TV was not in rage so after movie with Rekha where you would see yourself today?
Shekar Suman> Probably doing theatre, doing a lot of music and who knows maybe politics because that's the only place where there is great scope for acting.

Vilasrao> Don't you think it is a high time for you to join politics as the matters you take up in Poll-khol are really serious, and we definitely need a person like you in politics. I would most certainly vote for you.
Shekar Suman> With a name like that. I knew it was coming from you. I truly appreciate your feelings but I rather help the society from outside than join politics and become one of them. But if the need arises, be may be one day who knows. As of now you save that precious vote for an honest politician, if there is any.

Sign off Message> Thank you all. Never say die. Remember it is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. Good luck and god bless. Thanks once again all of you for your precious time.