Directing his son Adhyayan Suman in 'Heartless', Shekhar fondly talks about his film and says it is a romantic thriller but at the core is a story about the relationship between a mother and child. However, his anger at singers Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Nikhil D'Souza and Neeti Mohan's refusal to sign the contract with the music company T-series for his film 'Heartless' was evident.
"Why should the producer be penalised? Nothing of this sort was conveyed to me when they had recorded the songs a year back", says Shekhar. He further adds, "Sonu and Sunidhi sang for free a year back and now suddenly they don't want to sign the contract with the music company because of the issue of royalty. If you have not taken any money then why ask for royalty?"
Shekhar's son Adhyayan who makes a comeback of sorts on the big screen with this film says "Sonu was my favourite singer, was like my family. But he influenced other people also to not sign the contract of our film. But why are you targeting my film only? Why other film's contracts are being signed by them?"
While Adhyayan says no one is "irreplaceable", dad Shekhar says they have roped in "more popular and as good singers" to dub the songs. Shekhar added that he is "deeply pained and hurt by all this" and called their behaviour as "unethical and unprofessional". "Irony is that I was let down by my own friends", says Shekhar.
While news of Sonu, Sunidhi backing off from the project may have soured the proceedings, Shekhar Suman managed to get cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar for the music launch. He says "it is not human how anyone at that level can be so humble. It is a Godly virtue. We are very lucky to have him on board."
On his son's performance in the film Shekhar says "he will take everyone by surprise". Undeterred by the controversy, both Shekhar and Adhyayan are looking forward to both the music launch and the success of their film which will release on February 7, 2014.