Some love him, others love him not

While some eagerly await the 10.10 p.m. time slot on Sony TV to catch up with his now famous Laloo, Atal jokes, there are others who simply cannot stand Shekhar Suman’s stand-up comedy, Movers & Shakers. Well, you can either love him or hate him. But ignore him you cannot. Here are some comments on the much-hyped show by some citizens of tinsel town.

Sharad Kapoor
“The man’s a genius, I say. He’s too good. And I try to watch the programme as often as I can. His jokes on Laloo and Atalji are mind-blowing. Tell me something, what is this rona-dhona about a few gags here and there? First of all, one should remember that he is making fun of you because of who you are. He is not catching any dhobi from the road side and messing up with him. In fact, the people who he is joking about regularly are so senior in their positions that if they want they can have the show called off-air within minutes. But they haven’t. It has been on air for quite a while now. So if they can take it in the right spirit, who are we? Why all this fuss?"

Mandira Bedi Kaushal
“It is very good. The best stand-up comedy that we can boast of. I’ve been on his show and I think he’s too good. But I think one should draw the line somewhere. Personally, I wouldn’t mind too much if he joked about me... to some extent. Also, I feel that he takes liberties only where he feels he can. For instance, when Cyrus Broacha was on the show as the guest for the night (that’s the part that I like to watch the best) our friend was very quiet because he knew that he’d get pat answers from the other comedian anchor guy. In fact, though no doubt Shekhar is very good at his job but I feel that had Cyrus’ Hindi been a little better he too would have been apt for the position of the irreplaceable Suman."

Kamiya Malhotra
“In reality, that’s exactly the way they (the politicians) are. All he is doing is helping it to reach the public eye. I enjoy the show thoroughly and even though I can’t get enough time to watch it on a daily basis, I do make it a point to catch it as often as possible. Also what is there to get so personally offended about something that is his job. He isn’t saying it to you on a personal level. He is making those jokes in the capacity of his uniform. So that should be all right. Plus, when you are a public figure, you have to learn to take all this in your stride. I definitely would rather watch Movers & Shakers and laugh my guts out than some of those ridiculous programmes being aired under the garb of comedy."

Shagufta Ali
“I think he is a very fine mimicry artist. The show is good but then again it all depends on how personal Suman is getting. Nobody likes to be laughed at and while humouring someone, one has to draw the line somewhere. I laugh at my own self and keep on cracking jokes so if someone else does it, it would be okay, but only upto a limit. But he has the tendency of going overboard."

Mrs. Shetty (Shilpa Shetty’s mother)
“The programme is an utter nuisance and in very bad taste!"

Reema Lagoo
“I personally like the show very much and don’t feel anything is wrong with it at all. As far as making fun of the people is concerned, well, firstly, that’s his job. Secondly, it is up to you how to keep people at bay. Actually, most of the guests are very nervous and don’t talk as much as is required in a 45-minute show, so he has to keep the gaps filled with his jabber. It is not Shekhar’s fault at all. The guests have to be smart enough to keep the blanks full."

Annu Kapoor
“I don’t really watch the show, so commenting upon it is invalid. But I was invited as a guest on this very programme but I declined the offer, because I don’t feel it makes any sense, the whole thing that is. Of course, if there is a show for a worthy cause then I definitely make an appearance."

Tanaaz Currim
“I think the programme is amazing and very well hosted by Shekhar. He is too good and there can’t be another like him. I’ve been on the show as a guest twice and I think those were my best interviews. I’ve also worked with Shekhar and the guy is brilliant. Now out there in the West, from where this show has been picked up, they actually rip the celebrities and get their pants down. We have to realise that once we become public figures we’ve given up our private lives and they have the right to say what they please. So the problem is not with Shekhar, who is only doing a job but with the makers of the programme who’ve picked it up. They should have remembered that no matter how fashionable we Indians pretend to be, in our heart-of-hearts we are still very closed and cannot digest such things as they are supposed to be taken. Also the show is catering to the masses, the janta, which is uneducated and only two percent of us, who get interviewed or form the elite bracket, may be open the such things. The fact that he is the most highly paid actor from the small screen and that he has the highest TRP ratings for this programme,goes to show that the whole thing is very right.Something else is wrong somewhere else.Its not with him.

Navneet Nishan
“he is very good and we get a chance to see so many talented people who may not be in the top most bracket of society but are still achievers in their own rights.Plus Shekhar is too good.Even before he got this programme he was always very good at mimicry .All that has happened is that with this show he has found his own ground and excels in it.All the joking should be taken lightly. Of course if he were to make me the cause of all the jokes I would definitely feel bad."

Chandrachur Singh
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