Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 2, 2017)

Actor-businessman Suniel Shetty’s father, hotelier and restaurant owner, Veerappa T Shetty, passed away late on Tuesday night. He had been admitted at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital following a prolonged illness. He was 93.

When news of Veerappa’s death broke, actors Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Mahima Chaudhry, Aftab Shivdasani, Jackie Shroff, directors J P Dutta and Sanjay Gupta, filmmaker-businessman Bunty Walia and Suniel’s Hera Pheri-director Priyadarshan arrived at the 55-year-old actor’s residence. Sanjay Dutt, who is filming in Agra, called Suniel to convey his condolences.

The last rites and cremation will take place today at Worli in the presence of Suniel’s mother, wife Mana and sister Sujata. Suniel’s daughter Athiya is currently out of the county shooting in London for her upcoming rom-com Mubarakan, while his son Ahaan is also in the UK prepping for his Bollywood debut. The siblings will fly back on Friday to be present for the chautha, which will take place at Nehru Centre on Saturday.