Shekhar Suman Recalls Phoolan Devi Saying She Was 'Scared' of Him During Interview

Veteran actor Shekhar Suman said Phoolan Devi, the former dacoit and parliamentarian, admitted during a television interview that she was scared of him and his questioning style. Speaking to IANS, Suman recalled that when he asked her who she feared despite her violent past, she replied, 'You, you fire at me.'

Suman described her body language during the interview, noting that her feet did not touch the ground as she sat. He questioned her about the contrast between her image as the 'Bandit Queen' and her apparent nervousness, asking how she once rode horses with a rifle if she now seemed so uneasy.

Phoolan Devi's life was depicted in Shekhar Kapur's 1994 film Bandit Queen, starring Seema Biswas. Suman's recollection highlights a rare televised appearance by Devi during her political career.

Suman also recalled interviewing late Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, who reportedly enjoyed the conversation so much he asked to do a second segment, even without changing costumes. The anecdotes were shared as part of a broader reflection on Suman's career in television.

The remarks were made during a recent conversation with IANS and offer a retrospective look at Suman's interactions with high-profile public figures; no further interviews or events are scheduled in relation to the comments.