Shekhar Suman is back to doing what he does best: hosting a talk show. The veteran actor launched his YouTube show, 'Shekhar Tonite', featuring a roster of celebrities and prominent personalities. Amid the buzz surrounding his new venture, Suman recently opened up about the transformation of the entertainment industry over the years. He expressed concerns that the industry now relies heavily on formula-based projects and shies away from experimentation.
Shekhar Suman on the Lack of Originality in Today's Content
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Shekhar Suman, who has been part of the industry for over four decades, shared his views on the current state of content creation. 'Technically, we have become as good as any in the world. But somewhere we lack that originality,' he said. He added, 'You have a set of actors who have a certain image to conform to, so they get stuck in that rut. And the directors, because of the financial pressures, are trying to find a formula.'
Shekhar Suman went on to label new-age directors and actors as 'plagiarists'. In the same conversation, he stated, 'There's too much dependence on formula. They are plagiarists, not original thinkers like K. Asif, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, or Raj Kapoor. Their films have stayed for about 60-70 years.' The 62-year-old actor mentioned that he still watches 'Ganga Jamuna', and 'Mughal-E-Azam' still gives him goosebumps. He added, ''Kaagaz Ke Phool', 'Pyaasa', or 'Mera Naam Joker' are classics because they were originals.'
Elaborating on the Cause of Unoriginality
Suman further explained the reasons behind the lack of originality in contemporary cinema. 'Today, what has changed is that there's too much emphasis on making it successful rather than on making it more creatively beautiful. That's not a good sign. We have to return to being original and stick to our strengths and DNA. That's very important,' he emphasized.
More About Shekhar Suman and His Show
Shekhar Suman is currently hosting the talk show 'Shekhar Tonite'. The weekly program has already featured Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, while celebrities like Bobby Deol, Manoj Bajpayee, Ali Fazal, and Farah Khan are scheduled to appear in upcoming episodes. The actor was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', which premiered on Netflix in May 2024.
Shekhar Suman's candid remarks have sparked discussions about the state of creativity in Bollywood, with many echoing his call for a return to original storytelling. As he continues to engage audiences with his talk show, his insights serve as a reminder of the timeless value of authentic content.
