Veteran actor Shekhar Suman has launched a scathing critique of Bollywood's burgeoning public relations culture, describing the fixation on visibility as a perilous trend that hinders the development of young performers. In a candid conversation, the seasoned star did not mince words when addressing the practice of actors compensating paparazzi to secure media coverage and maintain a constant presence in the public eye.
Shekhar Suman on the Rising PR Culture
In an interview with Mid-Day, Shekhar Suman was unequivocal in his assessment of the growing influence of public relations machinery within the Hindi film industry. He stated, "This is not a healthy trend because it is just leading towards megalomania, which is leading towards obsession, which is not good for an actor." The 60-year-old actor emphasized that an artist must maintain perspective beyond their own persona. "An actor has to have eyes above his own self, his own persona, to just see the world in a different light, not just wanting to see himself all the time, everywhere," he elaborated.
Suman further asserted that the relentless desire to be seen is detrimental. "'I want to be seen' is a disease, an illness that is creeping in. So, they need to avoid that," he warned.
Shekhar Suman on Airport Sightings
Addressing the now-common phenomenon of actors summoning paparazzi to airports and other public venues, Shekhar Suman was equally forthright. He revealed, "Most of the actors pay the paps to be there; they pay the paps to write nice things about them and all. And that is why they are all steeped in mediocrity, and they stay where they are." He questioned how performers can muster creative energy when so much of it is expended on managing appearances. "If all your energy is just going to be there to be seen around and to wear the nicest clothes and be seen in big cars and be papped, then where would you have the energy, the concentration to become an actor?" he asked.
More About Shekhar Suman
On the professional front, Shekhar Suman was most recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'. He is set to appear next in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming action adventure film, 'King'.
