The nepotism debate in Bollywood refuses to die down, and star kids are being constantly trolled on social media on how they supposedly get everything easy. As a parent to two children, Athiya and Ahan, who followed in his footsteps, it “upsets” actor Suniel Shetty, when their names are dragged into it. “I never get irritated or angry; it upsets me. It hurts me. It is Athiya’s destiny and hard work, which she will prove. Motichoor Chaknachoor (2019) wasn’t a big film, and had a lot of problems... [but] she got appreciated tremendously. She chose the subject that she wanted to do. Every child has the right to follow their dream,” says the 59-year-old. He further shares that he tells his friends to not push their children into doing something which they don’t want to and “let them choose their destiny”.

Talking about his attempts to give opportunities to talented youngsters through his initiative, Shetty says, “That way, I have 2,72,000 and two children. For me, all are equal. More than opportunity, for me, it was this bloody exploitation of talent that used to happen, financially, mentally, physically, casting couch... so I wanted that if you have talent, you will get work.”