Shekhar Suman on losing Devdas, finding Heeramandi and never chasing work
Actor Shekhar Suman recalled turning down the role of Chunni Babu in Devdas in an exclusive interview. He said working with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Heeramandi later made up for the regret and introduced him to younger viewers.
Actor Shekhar Suman has spoken about one of the biggest missed opportunities of his career, saying he still regrets not taking up the role of Chunnilal in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2002 hit, Devdas. In a conversation with India Today, Suman also reflected on how working in the filmmaker's series Heeramandi years later helped introduce him to a new generation of viewers. He added he has never believed in taking up work he does not value.
Suman said the missed role of Devdas and his later collaboration with Bhansali remain linked in his mind. He also spoke about staying active through theatre, his long-running play Ek Mulaqat, and his belief that consistency in a career does not mean saying yes to everything.
The role that slipped away
Recalling the opportunity he could not take up, Suman said, “Devdas. The film was offered to me — the Chunni bhai’s role.” He said he was unable to do the film because of his schedule at the time. “At that time, I was neck-deep in Movers and Shakers, doing it five times a week. Much as I wanted to do it, I could not, and I regret not doing it,” he said.
Suman also spoke warmly about Bimal Roy's 1955 version of Devdas, remembering the performances of Dilip Kumar and Suchitra Sen, who played Devdas and Paro in that film, as well as Motilal, who played Chunnilal.
“That film has always been very special to me,” he said, adding that if anyone could reinterpret it after Bimal Roy, it was Bhansali. “What a fantastic job he has done,” the actor added.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity of working in Bhansali's Devdas, Suman said, “Some you win, some you lose. You should not be too regretful about it. It was probably not meant to be.” He added, “But I got to work with him in Heeramandi, so that compensated me.”
Heeramandi and a new audience
Suman said Heeramandi became a point of rediscovery in his career and brought him to a younger audience. When asked if the show gave his career fresh momentum, he said, “Yes, I guess so. That one role gives you another lease of five years, 10 years — and then it goes on.”
Theatre work and staying selective
Even as digital platforms widened his reach, Suman said his work had never stopped. He said he has remained closely involved with theatre and is currently performing in Ek Mulaqat, where he plays Sahir Ludhianvi.
The actor said the play is already on the 125th show. “That’s a different world. Audiences are mesmerised — they say they haven’t seen anything like this,” he said. He also referred to having earlier played Saadat Hasan Manto on stage.
Speaking about his approach to work, Suman said, “I have always chosen my work. If I thought something was substandard or mediocre, I would rather sit at home and not do it. But I’ve never been jobless.”
Tracing his journey back to Utsav, his debut film as a lead actor, he said each year had brought at least a couple of projects, whether in theatre, films or OTT. “I’ve always been working. This year could be very exciting. There are six things on the anvil and they will be happening very soon, within a fortnight,” he concluded.
Actor Shekhar Suman has spoken about one of the biggest missed opportunities of his career, saying he still regrets not taking up the role of Chunnilal in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2002 hit, Devdas. In a conversation with India Today, Suman also reflected on how working in the filmmaker's series Heeramandi years later helped introduce him to a new generation of viewers. He added he has never believed in taking up work he does not value.
Suman said the missed role of Devdas and his later collaboration with Bhansali remain linked in his mind. He also spoke about staying active through theatre, his long-running play Ek Mulaqat, and his belief that consistency in a career does not mean saying yes to everything.
The role that slipped away
Recalling the opportunity he could not take up, Suman said, “Devdas. The film was offered to me — the Chunni bhai’s role.” He said he was unable to do the film because of his schedule at the time. “At that time, I was neck-deep in Movers and Shakers, doing it five times a week. Much as I wanted to do it, I could not, and I regret not doing it,” he said.
Suman also spoke warmly about Bimal Roy's 1955 version of Devdas, remembering the performances of Dilip Kumar and Suchitra Sen, who played Devdas and Paro in that film, as well as Motilal, who played Chunnilal.
“That film has always been very special to me,” he said, adding that if anyone could reinterpret it after Bimal Roy, it was Bhansali. “What a fantastic job he has done,” the actor added.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity of working in Bhansali's Devdas, Suman said, “Some you win, some you lose. You should not be too regretful about it. It was probably not meant to be.” He added, “But I got to work with him in Heeramandi, so that compensated me.”
Heeramandi and a new audience
Suman said Heeramandi became a point of rediscovery in his career and brought him to a younger audience. When asked if the show gave his career fresh momentum, he said, “Yes, I guess so. That one role gives you another lease of five years, 10 years — and then it goes on.”
Theatre work and staying selective
Even as digital platforms widened his reach, Suman said his work had never stopped. He said he has remained closely involved with theatre and is currently performing in Ek Mulaqat, where he plays Sahir Ludhianvi.
The actor said the play is already on the 125th show. “That’s a different world. Audiences are mesmerised — they say they haven’t seen anything like this,” he said. He also referred to having earlier played Saadat Hasan Manto on stage.
Speaking about his approach to work, Suman said, “I have always chosen my work. If I thought something was substandard or mediocre, I would rather sit at home and not do it. But I’ve never been jobless.”
Tracing his journey back to Utsav, his debut film as a lead actor, he said each year had brought at least a couple of projects, whether in theatre, films or OTT. “I’ve always been working. This year could be very exciting. There are six things on the anvil and they will be happening very soon, within a fortnight,” he concluded.
