Shekhar Suman recently opened up about the most painful phase of his life, when he lost his young son, Aayush, who was just 11 years old. The boy had a rare, incurable heart condition called endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF). He died from the illness in 1995.

Speaking to The Lallantop, the actor-turned-presenter said he was struggling to find work when he learnt about his son's diagnosis. Aayush was terminally ill, so Shekhar decided to take up television projects to support his family.

He chose the show Dekh Bhai Dekh, produced by Jaya Bachchan. During shoots, he kept his phone close so he could stay updated on his son's health.

'Papa, Save Me' Recalled Shekhar Suman

Shekhar Suman also remembered the last moments of his son's life. He said Aayush started reciting Sanskrit shlokas shortly before he died.

"Before his death, he had started reciting Sanskrit shlokas. 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'."

He then described what happened next. Aayush told everyone around him that he loved them, including the family's driver. Shekhar spoke about his son with deep love and about how he still struggles to understand the loss.

"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."

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Shekhar Suman's Wife Begged Doctors To Let Him Go

Shekhar said Aayush's condition became so bad that his wife, Alka Suman, eventually begged the doctors to let their son go. He recalled how the two of them reacted at the time. "His condition worsened so much that at one point, my wife begged the doctors to let him go. I told her, 'What are you saying? We will fight till the end'."

He recalled, "But she said, 'This is the end. Let him go; he is suffering a lot.' She was the 'savvy mother who begged for her son's death.' She was right; we couldn't bear seeing him suffer like that."

The actor said that after his son's death, he lost interest in money and fame. He kept working to support the rest of his family.

 


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Shekhar Suman hosted a digital talk show called Shekhar Tonite. It premiered on May 15, 2026, and its first season has now ended. The show brought him back to late-night talk and political satire after almost 14 years. His last show in this format was Movers & Shakers.

He was last seen in Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut series. It is streaming on Netflix.

FAQ

1. What medical condition did Shekhar Suman's son suffer from?

Shekhar Suman's eldest son, Aayush, was diagnosed with a rare and incurable heart disease called endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), which led to his untimely death in 1995.

2. Why did Shekhar Suman decide to work on television shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh?

He took up TV roles to secure a steady income and cover the heavy medical expenses required for his son's continuous treatment and care.

3. How did the tragic loss of his son affect Shekhar Suman's perspective on life?

The tragedy made him lose interest in fame and wealth, though he continued acting solely to support his remaining family members.


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