Veteran actor and TV presenter Shekhar Suman has sparked a discussion online after sharing a new video in which he narrates the story of a king and a magic mirror.
The clip was posted on his YouTube channel where he recently launched his new talk show, and was widely shared on social media, with many users interpreting it as a veiled political commentary against the current BJP-led regime led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Creative”, “Which King?”: The video raises questions
The video, which is about three minutes long, initially sparked positive reactions.
“OG satirist Shekhar Suman is back and how.. he attacks the system!!!,” one person wrote on X, while several others described the clip as “iconic.”
Shekhar Suman has officially returned to the late night talk show format after his new digital show ‘Shekhar Tonite’, which is a spiritual revival of his 90s hit ‘Movers & Shakers’.
Although Soman did not mention anyone’s name in the video, the Congress-led opposition was quick to notice this and raise questions.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also shared the clip and wrote: “There was a king. He broke the mirror. But why did he break the mirror? What story of a king is this?”
In a more direct take, Congressman Vinay Kumar Dokania wrote in Hindi, as he shared the video: “Modi ji will not be able to forgive Shekhar Suman from the heart.”
What’s in the video?
In the nearly three-minute video, Suman tells the story of a king whose court was filled with powerful people praising his greatness, courage, farsightedness and supposedly immortal character.
He says in Hindi: “Gradually, the king came to believe that he was above everything and above criticism. One day, a magic mirror was brought to the court. The king looked at it with curiosity and amazement. Instead of reflecting his face, the mirror revealed his weaknesses and faults that had long been hidden under false applause and praise…”
“Fearing that the truth about him might become known, the king angrily smashed the mirror.”
But, says Soman, “When a mirror breaks, it does not cease to exist, but rather shatters into countless pieces.” Instead of a single reflection, “a thousand eyes seem to be staring at it.” Terrified, the king summoned his sycophants and asked them what to do now that people were beginning to notice his shortcomings.
“Why do you worry, Your Majesty,” replied the sycophants. The treatment is simple. I declare to the kingdom that anyone who holds a mirror is an enemy, and anyone who asks questions is a traitor.”
According to Suman, the king accepted the advice but forgot that breaking the mirror would not change the truth or change fate.
Suman concludes the story by saying: “The amazing thing is that even in this era there is a ruler like him, arrogant and conceited, who made life difficult for everyone. And his name is…” before ending the conversation without mentioning anyone.
Suman had his own share of political dialogues. He contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Patna Sahib on a Congress ticket, losing to BJP’s Shatrughan Sinha, who is also an actor. By 2024, he was a member of the BJP, but later said he was out “within 24 hours”.
During the launch of his show ‘Shekhar Tonite’ in 2026, he openly made it clear that he was leaving politics immediately to maintain absolute independence as a commentator and talk show host.
