Most people will agree: there could not have been a better choice for television artiste of the millennium. Shekhar Suman exudes success. A man who had been labelled a failure at the beginning of the decade is today the most pursued television performer. His closest rival would be Prannoy Roy of New Delhi Television as one of the most recognised faces on Indian television.
While Prannoy has stuck to election analysis and news anchoring, Suman has tackled a variety of roles in genres ranging from sitcoms to soaps to serials to countdown shows. And that too extremely well. That has made him the darling of millions. His antics in Dekh Bhai Dekh, Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar, and Movers & Shakers have made him an endearing figure.
But most of all he has raised the stature of television stars. The widespread popularity he has rivals that of any film star. Or for that matter any cricket star. To top it all, he also been raided by the income-tax authorities like many filmstars have.
He charges Rs 125,000 per episode. The minimum he considers is Rs 75,000. And he has producers and channels more than open to meeting his price.
This above he says he works about six hours a day only. "I pack in a lot from 12 pm to 8 pm daily. I finish my shots in one of two takes only," he says. "I don't like wasting my or anyone else's time."
Suman is currently looking at helping other struggling talents by offering them roles through his own production company Seven Thirty Entertainment.
Here's raising a toast to Shekhar Suman. Indiantelevision.com's television artiste of the millennium. We wish you loads of success.
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Tete A Tete: TV Star fo the millennium Shekhar Suman
