'Papa, please…': Shekhar Suman had no work when son Aayush fell ill, later signed Rs 35 crore TV deal. He recalls son’s final words before death at 11

Actor Shekhar Suman is known for his sharp wit and candid conversations, including in his digital-first talk show, which marked his return to late-night-style hosting after Movers & Shakers. However, behind his public persona lies a personal tragedy that changed his way of looking towards life. In a recent interview, the actor recalled losing his 11-year-old son, Aayush, to a terminal illness, describing his final moments and the difficult period when he struggled to find work while trying to care for his child.

Shekhar Suman had 'no work' when son Aayush fell ill

Speaking to The Lallantop, Shekhar recalled that he was struggling financially when he learnt that Aayush was terminally ill. The news left him devastated, and he was worried about how he would manage his son’s treatment without a steady income.

He said, "Firstly, I had no work at that time. On top of that, we received such tragic news. I was completely ruined and destroyed. I thought I had nothing left in life. I wasn’t earning that much to look after him. I didn’t want to take money from home either. Those were very trying times."




Shekhar recalled that director Anand Mahendroo approached him for the sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh. When he expressed his disinterest in doing television, Mahendroo encouraged him to reconsider, explaining that Jaya Bachchan was producing the show. Shekhar eventually accepted the role, which became a major step in his career.

The actor said working on a light-hearted comedy while worrying about his son’s health was particularly difficult. A telephone was kept on the set so his family could update him about Aayush. Every time it rang, he feared the worst. After taking the call, he had to return to the set and continue performing despite his anxiety.

Shekhar Suman recalls Aayush’s final words

Recalling his son’s final moments, Shekhar said Aayush had started reciting Sanskrit shlokas shortly before his death.

Shekhar said, "He was 11. I don’t know how he did it. He said he saw a golden light coming, held my hand and told me, ‘Papa, I don’t want to go. Please save me.’ Then he started reciting some Sanskrit shlokas, and we were flustered. He then told each one of us who were with him at that time, including our driver, that he loved us. He was like an angel; he was a beautiful child."



“I still don’t know how that tragedy happened to us. But I guess that’s destiny. There’s no bigger tragedy that can befall parents than losing their children. Even now, we dedicate 2-3 hours just thinking and talking about him, every day. It’s a wound that will never heal."

Shekhar also spoke about the difficult decisions his family faced as Aayush’s health worsened. He said his wife, Alka Suman, eventually pleaded with the doctors to let their son go because she could no longer bear to see him suffer.

The actor initially wanted to continue fighting until the end. However, he later acknowledged how painful it had been for both parents to watch their child endure so much suffering.

Even years after Aayush’s death, the loss continues to affect the family. Shekhar said they spend around two to three hours every day remembering their son and talking about him. He described the grief as a wound that never fully heals.

From Rs 25,000 debut fee to a Rs 35 crore deal

Shekhar also opened up about on how far he had come financially, from his early days as an actor to signing a television deal worth Rs 35 crore. He said he received Rs 25,000 for his debut film role in Girish Karnad’s 1984 period drama Utsav, an amount that felt "enormous" at the time.

Before entering films, Shekhar earned Rs 600 a month while working at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts in Delhi. His wife, Alka, earned Rs 900 a month working at a shop. Despite their modest income, he recalled that they lived happily on their combined monthly earnings of Rs 1,500, covering rent, groceries, petrol and entertainment while saving whatever remained.

According to Indian Express report, the actor described the Rs 35 crore figure as a dream compared with his early earnings.

“When it was offered to me, I delivered my best acting. I thought if I show my excitement then the deal would fall through. “Can you make it 40?,” I asked (laughs), although I’d rush back home in excitement and declare I was getting Rs 35 crore,”

However, he said losing Aayush changed the way he viewed professional success. Money and fame no longer held the same importance, but he continued working to support his remaining family.