Ahan Shetty is ready with his debut film, Tadap, which releases next month. Obviously, the 26-year-old is “super excited” about his movie, which also stars actor Tara Sutaria. 

Actors with families in the film industry often are launched by their star dads but Ahan’s dad Suniel Shetty isn’t launching him. Ask him why and he replies, “I didn’t feel comfortable with dad producing my debut film as I didn’t want to pressure him. I wanted to be an actor for myself. So, I wanted to train as hard as possible and thought that if I got an opportunity, as I did with Sajid Nadiadwala (filmmaker) sir, I’d take it.” 

Ahan got interested in dramatics in sixth grade, and four years later, he knew he wanted to become an actor. “As I am an introvert, portraying different emotions through my performances felt like freeing myself, and was therapeutic,” Ahan says and adds that he trained in diction, martial arts, dance, etc., for two years prior to the movie.

Explaining why Tadap took five years from signing to release, Ahan says, “While I signed the film in April 2016, the shoot started in 2019 but we had to stop shooting in March 2020 due to the pandemic. It was a huge gap between shoots. I was confused, angry and anxious about things taking so much time. I had lost 14 kilos during the lockdown, and regaining the physicality was a challenge. Covid-19 took a lot from everyone, not just me. “

In the film, he will be seen as an action hero, which adds a slight pressure because he is Suniel Shetty’s son, who is known for his action films. “But the idea is to not let that get to you. I don’t want to be labelled as an action hero. I want to do all kinds of films with good content, and my main focus is on my performance. I’ve been on dad’s sets but never paid any attention as a kid, and at home, we hardly ever talked about films. My dad’s advice to me is to ‘be known as a good human being even if you are not known as a good actor’,” he shares.

Often, young actors aren’t open about their relationships, but Ahan has not hidden his relationship with Tania Shroff (fashion designer and influencer). “I will never hide my relationships. We have been together for 10 years,” he concludes.