Actor, singer, host and even six-packs! There are many facets to Shekhar Suman. The most remarkable attribute of Shekhar is that he's a survivor. After being down in the dumps, Shekhar has fought back like a gladiator to emerge as a successful and a popular figure on television.

The versatile actor, currently adjudicating Bindass' realty show Has Ley India Comedy Gang of War, spoke exclusively to Mayur Lookhar.

Why did you agree to be a part of Has Ley India Comedy Gang of War?
I agreed to do it because I'm an actor. I'm judging an acting show. It's as simple as that. There's nothing beyond that.

But there must something per se about the show that appealed to you.
The concept and its format is a striking feature. The fact that it is going to be a comedy gang war with people performing together; this is something very different from stand-alone acts or individual performances. Besides, these gangs represent different states and thus it showcases humour from these states.

You've reportedly said that you were unhappy with the comedy tag, as you wanted to show your versatility. So what made you change your mind?I did say that but that is as a performer. I'm just a judge here. As an actor, you can participate in a singing, musical or any other reality show as a judge. Thus, it's not a return to comedy but I'm here to encourage new talent.

The humour in Has Ley India is one that hits below the belt. Is Has Ley.. Comedy Gang of War going to be any different?
We've shot the first episode and thus far I haven't found anything below the belt. Here, we are working towards extracting the local favour. Each city has its own sense of humour. So far the humour that we've seen is pretty decent and parliamentary. I've never encouraged toilet humour. Resorting to it is an easy way out. One must understand where to draw the line.

As a judge what is it that you are looking for?
When it comes to comedy, we kind of decipher in the following way - C stands for control, concentration, O for originality, M for meaning, E for execution, D for drama and diligence and finally Y would be the 'Yo' factor. One needs to keep these factors in mind and perform and you can achieve your target.

Makarand Deshpande and Shekhar Suman appear as different as chalk and cheese. Will it be the same in the judgment?
Both of us have a strong theatre background. Thus in that sense we are more chalk-chalk and more cheese-cheese together. Until now there have been no conflicts or disagreements and even if there is one, we will respect each other's view.

Did you leave Jhoom India unhappy?
I was unhappy to start with mainly on account of the format. I was here to follow my passion, improve myself as a singer but despite giving your best if I were to be eliminated by the other contestants, then it made no sense to be part of such a show. However, with time, I enjoyed myself and was satisfied with my overall progress. I didn't take a moral stand to it later.

Will you be doing Laughter Challenge 4?
Well if they approach me then I will give it a thought.

Despite the improved quality in its third season, TGILC failed to generate much TRPs. Why?
Déjà vu. It's been there, seen it and done with it. In the same way, Kaun Banega Crorepati 2 and 3 failed to catch on. Now with multiple channels coming, people have options and thus it becomes too difficult to have one programme loyalty. Attention span has now shrunk. Besides, the Laughter guys were seen on every news channel after which it became irritating. TGILC 2 was really appalling. I used to cringe in my seat.

Is it true that your relation with Sidhu strained after he jokingly used a derogatory term against you?
Yes, that did occur but it was blown out of proportion. Sidhu was quick to apologise. It was just a joke which went awry. However, it served as fodder for the media. More than bonhomie, it is disagreement between two friends that makes for good news.

Shekhar is a legend on television. But he's yet to make a mark in films. Comment.
I completely agree with it. That has been very unfortunate. It's just a question of getting the right opportunity and TV gave me that. I started my career when cinema was at its worst. In the 80s, cinema was neither here nor there. I became part of bad films and thus the bigger guys were not keen on taking me.

Currently, I reckon I'm at the precipice of my career. I basically came here to be in films but God chose a different path for me. Besides, back then I was left with two choices - either do bad films or good television. I opted for the latter and it paid rich dividends. Today, the time and era is right for actors to switch back to films. Well, that's what I'm doing now.

You claim to come from a humble background (caste). Was caste a deterrent for you?
Not really. My father never gave us his surname. Casteism was a problem in Bihar. My father always stressed that we should not be known for being a Prasad or Sinha but your talent should precede everything else.

The problem in film industry for me was that I never knew anyone in the industry. As one with middle class values, I never begged for work and so I preferred staying home. In some way that does become a deterrent.

But you've often spoken about politics in Bollywood?
The politics here are the camps and the cliques or sycophancy. I never became a sycophant. Besides, I was also a victim of competition. There are numerous instances where I've been ousted from a film at the insistence of a particular actor.

Did you ever contemplate quitting out of such frustration?
Frustration was there but never did I inherit such thoughts. As an actor, you never give up.

Does Shekhar have many friends in the industry?
No. In fact, you don't find any friends in this industry. You only find them when you are successful and if it's the opposite then no body likes to come near you. And if you're successful and they befriend you, then they are not your friends in first place. I was quick to realise this and thus I ended up making none.

Was Bruna the real inspiration behind your six-pack?
(Laughs) That came much later. Bruna was the seventh pack. I felt that I needed to do something different in life, take more challenges. I kept asking myself should I try to look different. Will I look good opposite Bruna and that's what prompted me to hit the gym. That's how a new Shekhar emerged.

Do you inspire your son?
Well, I've always said that charity begins at home and it served as an inspiration for him. My son weighed around 104 kilos but he's now reduced to 68 kilos. That reflects his hard-work. As father and son, we always try to inspire each other.

In the last few years, Shekhar Suman has been reborn. Your thoughts.
Absolutely! There always is light at the end of the tunnel. A lot of people had written my epitaph. The fun is to fight back and rise like a phoenix. I hope to be reborn like this every ten years