Adhyayan Suman recreates viral 90s trend, calls Shekhar Suman 'greatest'
Synopsis
Adhyayan Suman's tribute to Shekhar Suman using the viral '90s trend is also a quiet reveal: the son is the creative producer behind his father's late-night comeback after 14 years. The magazine-cover montage and the 'MY PAPA GREATEST' caption landed warmly — but the real story is a father-son duo betting on appointment television in the age of short-form content.
Key Takeaways
Adhyayan Suman posted a tribute video to his father Shekhar Suman on 20 May , joining the viral 'Dad/Mom, what were you like in the 90s?' trend.
The video featured a montage of Shekhar Suman's 1990s magazine covers, set to Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls .
Adhyayan has created Shekhar Tonite , marking Shekhar Suman's return to late-night television after nearly 14 years .
Shekhar said the show aims to 'speak frankly, speak the truth, attack the system, awaken the people' through respectful confrontation.
Actor Adhyayan Suman has joined the widely circulating social media trend 'Dad/Mom, what were you like in the 90s?' by putting together a heartfelt tribute to his father, veteran actor and host Shekhar Suman. The clip, shared on 20 May, drew warm responses from fans who appreciated the nostalgic father-son moment.
The Viral Post
Adhyayan's video opened with a glimpse of Shekhar on the sets of the upcoming late-night show Shekhar Tonite, overlaid with the prompt: 'Papa, what were you like in the 90s?' It then cut to a montage of magazine cover photographs of a younger Shekhar Suman. The caption Adhyayan chose was simply: 'MY PAPA GREATEST.'
The trend itself involves participants showcasing nostalgic photographs or videos of their parents from the 1990s, set to the track Iris by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Celebrities and everyday users alike have embraced the format in recent weeks.
Shekhar Tonite: The Show Behind the Clip
The video doubles as a soft promotional moment for Shekhar Tonite, a late-night talk show that Adhyayan has created and that marks Shekhar Suman's return to the late-night format after nearly 14 years. The elder Suman was a prominent television personality through the 1990s and early 2000s, making the throwback montage doubly relevant.
What Shekhar Suman Wants to Achieve
Speaking about the intent behind Shekhar Tonite, Shekhar Suman said he wants the show to be a platform for frank, respectful public discourse. 'The Ram inside every person takes him to Ayodhya after his exile. A truth that pulls him towards itself. This show was famous for that only. To speak frankly, to speak the truth, to attack the system, to awaken the people,' he said.
He added that he has observed societal and democratic concerns for a long time and believes voices must be raised — but constructively. 'You can confront people in a respectful way. So, through a good show, a powerful show, I want to raise all those things. I have to represent people and ask politicians or actors their questions,' he said.
Father-Son Collaboration
The fact that Adhyayan is the creative force behind his father's comeback show adds a personal dimension to the viral post. The younger Suman has spoken about wanting the show to ask influential figures the questions that ordinary citizens cannot. The trend video, then, is less a casual social media moment and more a window into a working creative partnership between the two.
Point of View
But the more interesting angle is structural: Adhyayan producing his father's late-night comeback is an unusual inversion of the Bollywood nepotism narrative, with the younger generation enabling — rather than benefiting from — the older one's revival. Shekhar Tonite's stated ambition to hold politicians and celebrities accountable through 'respectful confrontation' is a well-worn late-night promise; whether the show delivers on it will matter far more than the nostalgia that launched it. Late-night political talk has struggled to find sustainable audiences on Indian digital platforms, and a 14-year absence is a long runway to rebuild.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the '90s trend that Adhyayan Suman participated in?
The trend, called 'Dad/Mom, what were you like in the 90s?', involves users sharing nostalgic photos or videos of their parents from the 1990s, set to the song Iris by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Adhyayan posted a montage of his father Shekhar Suman's magazine covers from that era.
What is Shekhar Tonite?
Shekhar Tonite is a late-night talk show created by Adhyayan Suman, featuring his father Shekhar Suman as host. It marks Shekhar's return to the late-night format after nearly 14 years.
What does Shekhar Suman want to achieve with Shekhar Tonite?
Shekhar Suman has said the show aims to represent ordinary people by asking frank questions of influential figures — politicians and celebrities — in a respectful but direct manner. He described it as a platform to 'speak the truth, attack the system, awaken the people.'
Who created Shekhar Tonite?
The show was created by Adhyayan Suman, son of the host Shekhar Suman, making it a father-son creative collaboration.
Why did Adhyayan Suman's post go viral?
The post resonated because it combined a widely popular social media trend with a genuine celebrity throwback, showcasing Shekhar Suman's 1990s magazine covers. The affectionate caption 'MY PAPA GREATEST' added a personal touch that audiences responded to warmly.
