Suman debuted in films with the Utsav opposite Rekha, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad. He has worked in nearly 35 films including Manav Hatya, Naache Mayuri, Sansar, Anubhav, Tridev, Pati Parmeshwar, and Ranbhoomi.
He made his television debut in 1984 with Wah Janaab in which he acted alongside Kiran Juneja. His television career included shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Reporter, Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar, Chote Babu, Andaz, Amar Prem, Vilayati Babu, Movers n Shakers, Simply Shekhar and Carry On Shekhar. He hosted Film Deewane, The Great Indian Comedy Show on Star One until February 2006 and appeared in some episodes of Dial One Aur Jeeto on Sahara TV. He has also hosted quiz shows including Nilaam Ghar on Zee TV, He-Man on Star One and Poll Khol on STAR News. In 2015, he began hosting Abki Bari Shekhar Bihari on Aaj Tak.