Shekhar Suman: ‘I am like RK Laxman’s The Common Man’

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 criticising 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 civilised manner,” said the host.

Shekhar Suman with guest Bobby Deol. Pic/Youtube

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.”

1997
When ‘Movers & Shakers’ began airing on Sony

2001
When Shekhar Suman hosted ‘Simply Shekhar’, another late-night talk show, on Zee TV

2012
When ‘Movers & Shakers’ was revived on SAB TV