Shekhar Suman has made a career out of comedy, but one of his most enduring performances happened at a time when he was going through a tough phase, both professionally and personally. Having made a memorable debut with Girish Karnad’s 1987 erotic romantic film Utsav opposite Rekha, he registered a good start in the movies. But his film career never took off like he expected it to.Talking about the tough phase on Screen Spotlight, Shekhar said, “I think I made some wrong choices in my life. Those were purely out of economic necessities. My son (Aayush) had fallen ill, and I had to work.”“So, I picked up some wrong films, and that badly impacted my career. It was natural for some filmmakers to shy away from casting me in some big projects. But that was meant to be. One should not take oneself so seriously in life. Make the most of what’s coming your way,” the actor added.Thankfully as his film career dwindled, television came to his rescue with a seminal sitcom like Aanand Mahendroo’s family dramedy Dekh Bhai Dekh, in which he played Sameer Dewan.However, since Dekh Bhai Dekh aired for 65 episodes from 1993 till 1994, it coincided with when Ayush was at his most ill. “It was very difficult. But the show must go on. Also, I had to earn money to pay his bills. My wife was 24×7 by my son’s side, taking care of him. Though I’d be in the midst of a shot, my mind was always home. I’d be worried sick about my son,” recalled Shekhar Suman.He can still feel the anxiety every time a phone call would come for him on set. “I’d keep my fingers crossed and hope it’s not bad news. But yes, those were very trying times. It’s very difficult to do a role where you’re meant to make people laugh, and at the back of your mind, you’re thinking about your son who’s so severely ill. Not an ideal situation to be in,” he added.Shekhar’s improved bond with younger sonAfter his son Ayush died in 1995, it took Shekhar Suman a long time to not only come to terms with the loss, but also mend his damaged equation with younger son Adhyayan Suman, whom he felt was sidelined during Ayush’s illness. Adhyayan, who was seven years old when his elder brother died, went on to become an actor.Story continues below this ad“It’s a beautiful relationship with him now,” said Shekhar, adding. “He’s a great actor, he’s a fantastic director, now that he’s directed me.”Adhyayan is currently directing his father in the new satirical talk show on YouTube, Shekhar Tonite. Though he’s had a rough start at the movies, Shekhar feels Adhyayan is now coming around by grabbing the right opportunities. “It all depends on the opportunities you get. He performed very well in Heartless (2014), Aashram (2020), and Heeramandi (2024). He’s also a good singer, a great editor, and a great technician. He’s way more talented than I am.” Shekhar Suman with younger son Adhyayan Suman.Both Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman starred in negative roles in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2024 Netflix India period drama Heeramandi, four years after Adhyayan made his presence felt in Prakash Jha’s popular crime drama Ashram on MXPlayer.Also Read — ‘Used my pauses as weapons’: Manu Rishi on playing Pervez Musharraf in Operation Safed SagarStory continues below this adHeartless, the 2014 medical thriller starring Adhyayan, marked Shekhar’s directorial debut and was a “tribute” by the father-son duo to Ayush. It revolved around Adhyayan’s character Aditya battling a heart disease and undergoing a heart transplant at the behest of his friend and surgeon Sameer (played by Shekhar). “It was an ode to Ayush. I felt good after that. That’s always a story I wanted to make,” adds Shekhar, almost fighting his tears.