Shekhar Suman (born 7 December 1962) is an Indian actor, television presenter, filmmaker and singer who works in Hindi cinema and television. He made his acting debut with the film Utsav (1984) and subsequently appeared in films including Nache Mayuri, Sansar and Tridev. On television, he played Sameer Diwan in the sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh and hosted the talk show Movers & Shakers. He later served as a judge on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and appeared in the Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
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Early life and education
Shekhar Suman was born on 7 December 1962 in Patna, Bihar. He was the only son among four children. His father, Phani Bhushan Prasad, was a surgeon and professor of surgery who later served as Director-General of Health Services in Bihar. His mother was Usha Prasad.
Suman attended St. Xavier's School in Patna and was later sent to Vikas Vidyalaya in Ranchi at the age of 12. During his school years, he participated in debating, theatre and the National Cadet Corps. He has said that he considered joining the Indian Navy and that he began imitating actors including Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar.
After completing his schooling, Suman studied history at Ramjas College in Delhi. He initially considered preparing for the Indian Administrative Service. He subsequently trained at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts in Delhi and became associated with its Repertory Company. He has recalled working with theatre practitioners including Rajinder Nath, Bansi Kaul, Badal Sircar and Ram Gopal Bajaj. He performed in plays including Anji, Ballabhpur Ki Roopkatha and Panchi Aise Aatey Hain, in which he played lead roles.
Suman worked as a repertory actor at the Shri Ram Centre and briefly worked at the Oberoi before returning to theatre. He has recalled earning ₹625 a month while working with the repertory.
In 1983, Suman moved to Bombay to pursue a career in films. He initially stayed with his elder sister and her husband. He subsequently received the lead role of Charudutt in Shashi Kapoor's production Utsav, directed by Girish Karnad, and appeared opposite Rekha. Suman has recalled that he was selected for the film within three weeks of arriving in Bombay. Utsav was released in 1984 and marked his feature-film debut.
Personal life
Suman married Alka on 4 May 1982. The two had met while studying in Delhi; Suman was a student at Ramjas College and Alka was studying at Indraprastha College. They married shortly after Suman completed college and joined the Shri Ram Centre's repertory.
The couple had two sons, Aayush and Adhyayan. Aayush was diagnosed with a rare heart ailment and succumbed to the illness at the age of 11 in 1995. Suman has subsequently spoken about his son's illness and his family's experience during his treatment.
Suman dedicated his directorial debut, Heartless (2014), to Aayush. The film starred Adhyayan Suman and dealt with a young man suffering from a heart condition.
Adhyayan Suman later became an actor and singer. He and his father appeared together in Heartless and later in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
Career
Film beginnings and early television work
Suman began his acting career in the 1980s. His film debut was in Girish Karnad's Utsav (1984), produced by Shashi Kapoor, in which he appeared opposite Rekha. The film was based on the Sanskrit play Mṛcchakatika. Suman subsequently appeared in films including Manav Hatya, Naache Mayuri, Anubhav, Sansar, Woh Phir Aayegi, Tridev, Pati Parmeshwar and Ranbhoomi, among others.
Suman made his television debut with the 1984 Doordarshan series Wah Janaab, written by Sharad Joshi. In 1993, he played Sameer Diwan in the sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh, produced by Jaya Bachchan's Saraswati Audio Visuals and directed by Aanand Mahendroo. The series followed the lives of members of an extended family and brought Suman wider recognition as a television actor.
During the 1990s, Suman appeared in television series including Reporter, Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar, Andaz, Amar Prem, Ek Raja Ek Rani, Vilayati Babu, Hera Pheri and Main. His television work during this period included acting, comedy and hosting.
Movers & Shakers
Suman hosted Movers & Shakers, which premiered on Sony Entertainment Television in 1997. The programme combined comedy, opening monologues, interviews and commentary on current affairs. Its guests included actors, politicians, musicians, sportspersons and other public figures. The show also featured Suman's impersonations of political figures and commentary on political and social developments.
Media reports from this period described Suman as one of the highly paid personalities on Indian television. A 2017 report stated that he had received ₹35 crore under a three-year contract with Sony for Movers & Shakers.
A 2022 profile described Suman as "television's first superstar" and discussed comparisons between his television popularity and Amitabh Bachchan's standing in Hindi cinema.
After Movers & Shakers, Suman hosted other television programmes, including Niilamghar, a game show broadcast on Zee TV in 2001, as well as Simply Shekhar, Carry On Shekhar, Poll Khol and The Great Indian Comedy Show.
Reality television
Suman served as a judge on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge alongside Navjot Singh Sidhu. The programme featured stand-up comedians performing before a judging panel. Suman later served as a judge on other comedy programmes, including editions of Comedy Circus.
He also participated as a contestant in the fourth season of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In 2022, he joined India's Laughter Champion on Sony Entertainment Television as a judge alongside Archana Puran Singh.
In 2022, Suman appeared on Bigg Boss 16 as the host of Bigg Bulletin, a special segment broadcast as part of the reality show. The segment featured his commentary on contestants' performances and gameplay, along with interviews with selected contestants.
Music and theatre
In 2007, Suman released his debut music album, Kuch Khwaab Aise. The album comprised romantic songs composed by Aadesh Shrivastava, with lyrics by Shyam Raj.
Suman has also performed in theatre. He portrayed poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi in the stage production Ek Mulaqaat, opposite Deepti Naval as Amrita Pritam. Written and directed by Saif Hyder Hasan, the play depicts an imagined meeting between the two literary figures.
Film direction
In 2014, Suman made his feature-film directorial debut with the romantic medical thriller Heartless. The film starred Adhyayan Suman, Ariana Ayam, Deepti Naval and Om Puri. Its story addressed anaesthesia awareness, a condition in which a patient may remain conscious during surgery despite receiving anaesthesia.
Later acting work and streaming
Suman appeared in Omung Kumar's film Bhoomi (2017), alongside Sanjay Dutt and Aditi Rao Hydari. In 2024, he played Nawab Zulfikar Ahmed in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix period drama series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Suman said he did not consider the series a comeback, explaining that he had continued working in theatre during his time away from screen acting.
Shekhar Tonite
In May 2026, Suman launched Shekhar Tonite, a talk show released on YouTube, approximately fourteen years after the previous television run of Movers & Shakers. The programme features interviews with public figures and conversations about current affairs. It premiered on 15 May 2026, with Union minister Nitin Gadkari as its first guest.
Shekhar Tonite features guests from diverse fields, including Indian cinema, politics, music, entertainment and public life. Notable guests have included actors Bobby Deol, Manoj Bajpayee and Sanjay Dutt; Union Minister Nitin Gadkari; playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan; and rapper and music producer Badshah, among others. The programme combines celebrity interviews and discussions about guests’ professional journeys, personal experiences and perspectives on contemporary issues with Suman’s satirical commentary on current affairs, politics and society. The show was created and directed by Suman’s son, actor and filmmaker Adhyayan Suman, who also served as co-producer.
The programme features guest interviews and satirical commentary on entertainment, politics and social issues. It marked Suman's return to the talk-show format following the end of Movers & Shakers.
Filmography
Awards
Won Best Anchor for Movers And Shakers at 1st ITA Awards
Won Best Anchor for Carry on Shekhar at 3rd Indian Telly Awards
Won Bollywood Movie Award for Best Comedian, Chor Machaaye Shor
