Shekhar Suman had to make people laugh when his son was terminally ill: ‘Show must go on’

Shekhar Suman's career in comedy began with a memorable role in Girish Karnad's 1987 erotic romantic film Utsav. However, his film career did not take off as he had hoped. In a difficult phase both professionally and personally, Shekhar made some wrong choices, which impacted his career due to economic necessities. His son, Aayush, had fallen ill, and Shekhar had to work to earn money for his son's bills. His wife took care of Aayush around the clock.

Despite the challenges, Shekhar continued to make people laugh on television with the sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh, which coincided with Aayush's most severe illness. The actor recalled feeling anxious every time a phone call came in on set, worrying about his son's condition. The demanding nature of his roles made it difficult for Shekhar to maintain a connection with his younger son, Adhyayan, who was seven years old at the time.

After Aayush's death in 1995, Shekhar struggled to come to terms with the loss and mend his relationship with Adhyayan. However, their bond has since improved, and Adhyayan has gone on to become a successful actor, director, and singer. Their shared connection to Ayush's memory is evident in Shekhar's directorial debut, Heartless (2014), a medical thriller where Adhyayan played the lead role. The film was a tribute to Ayush's battle with heart disease and his subsequent heart transplant.