New Delhi: Actor and television host Shekhar Suman has clarified that his YouTube show ‘Shekhar Tonite’ is not directed against the BJP or the government at the Centre. In an interview with the Lallantop, he said, “The programme focuses on flaws in the political system and holds those in power accountable, regardless of which party forms the government.”
Suman said there was a misconception about the show’s intentions and maintained that political satire was part of his profession. Drawing a comparison with a classroom monitor, he explained that anyone responsible for running a system should be questioned when things go wrong.
Shekhar Suman says PM Modi is not ‘so weak’
Shekhar Suman said that he respects Prime Minister Narendra Modi as much as Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. However, he believes that criticism is justified when something goes wrong.
“I don’t think PM Modi is so weak that his government would call me up for such a small show. He’s a very powerful being. There are a lot of other things happening around the globe which warrant his attention far more. There are other sorrows in the world besides Shekhar Tonite,” he said.
He added, “The programme operates within the framework of entertainment and satire and should not be viewed as a threat to the government.”
He said, “Like we used to take digs at PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee earlier, we’d take digs at PM Manmohan Singh. We don’t comment on any person or any government, but on the system at large. If you’ve elected someone to lead the system, if they go astray, you point it out to them. That’s why it’s not anti-anyone, but pro-people. We’re just representing people and amplifying their voice. We’ll do that tomorrow as well when someone else would be in power.”
“But when something wrong happens, it becomes legitimate to speak against that,” he said. He addressed concerns about videos critical of Modi allegedly being taken down from social media, saying, “It happens. It is happening. You can’t hold any person accountable for this, but the system is going wrong somewhere. Those who are leading are just faces. But there should be accountability.”
Recalling that people claimed the second episode would never be released after the premiere episode of his show was released, he said, “Why? Who’d stop it? PM Modi? He himself has said it multiple times that he likes to be critiqued. So, we took a cue from there. I’m presuming he has a sense of humour, and he wouldn’t take it so seriously. It’s part of democracy, and part of my profession. What we’re saying is in the framework of entertainment and satire. So, there’s no reason for the government to get worried. My show isn’t that important.”
“But that wasn’t the case. Some politicians even visited my home. They’re all honest and sincere people. A lot of people spread this misinformation that it’s an environment of fear, and no one can say anything against anyone. Why can’t they? People are raising their voice,” he added.
Shekhar Suman Reacts To ED Raids
Suman also addressed the Enforcement Directorate’s raids on the office of Shekhar Tonite, producer Dharmesh Sangani. The action drew attention as the show gained traction, particularly following Suman’s monologue about a “dictator”.
“I don’t know. Maybe the producer would’ve had a personal problem. The payment had got delayed, so maybe that’s why. It was a small matter. You can add two plus two, that why did the raid take place then only? But he’s an individual businessman. He has other dealings also. Like how it happened recently with Vashu Bhagnani. He’s worked with a lot of actors. Similarly, there are hundreds of producers that I’ve worked with. He’s one of them,” he said.
