Actor and comedian Shekhar Suman recently revisited one of the most memorable moments of his career, recalling how former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reacted to his popular mimicry on the television show Movers & Shakers. During the 1990s, Suman gained widespread recognition for his satirical take on political figures, with his portrayal of Vajpayee becoming particularly popular among viewers.
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Suman explained that it was rooted in observation. “When we started off, the show was essentially a political satire. Just talking about Atalji in the manner that he spoke, with his dramatic pauses, closing his eyes, and the way he moved his fingers, it felt like performing a character,” he said. He added that audiences connected strongly with such portrayals, noting, “People loved that. People love characters.”
Suman also revealed that he never faced resistance for the act. “No, no. They enjoyed it. I think the worst thing is not being talked about. Everybody loved that bit of publicity,” he said.
The conversation then turned to his eventual meeting with Vajpayee, which Suman described as an unexpected and defining moment. He shared that he had learned the former Prime Minister watched the show regularly. “I got to know that he had taken a liking for the show and he was actually recording and watching it every day,” Suman recalled.
The meeting took place at a wedding in Mumbai, where Vajpayee was present. Suman initially missed the opportunity to greet him as the convoy began to move. However, events took an unexpected turn. “There was a commotion and the cops said the PM wants to meet someone. The car stopped, and despite his knee problems, he got out,” he said.
What followed left a lasting impression on the actor. “He walked up to me and he hugged me the hardest. That’s the moment I can never forget,” Suman said. He further recalled Vajpayee’s words, which he considers the biggest compliment of his career, “greater than any National Award or Oscars”: “He said, ‘I watch your show every day. Don’t stop it. It makes the democracy stronger. And when you take off on me, I laugh the loudest.’”
For Suman, the interaction went beyond professional validation. “That made my life. Greater than any award,” he added.
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