Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 18, 2017)

When Suniel Shetty and his daughter Athiya Shetty team up, there’s not a single dull moment. Looking at the comfort level they share, they are more like friends than parent-child. However, that does not take away from the mutual respect they have for each other. We catch up with the Shettys at their beautifully-done-up office. The photoshoot turned out to be a laugh riot, thanks to their antics. But when they sit down to talk, they give us a glimpse into their world, getting nostalgic about the years that have passed by, and talking about the things they absolutely love and hate about each other.

How different are you as a dad from your father?
Suniel: I think there was no communication between my father and me. It’s not that he didn’t love me or care for me, but that was the generation when we said things without actually saying anything at all. Here, we are friends and there’s a lot more communication. You are more vocal because that’s how your children are. They talk to you about everything. When they want to say no, they say no. We didn’t know how to say no so we never did. Children now are very clear about what they want. Automatically, that has changed in me as a father.

As a kid, what would Athiya make for you on Father’s Day?
S: Cards! She and Ahan both get it from their mom because she’s very effusive. I come from a conservative family; I don’t express emotions. Once Mana came into my life, everything had to be celebrated because she is demonstrative.
Athiya: I remember sticking post-it notes to his pillow. He’d see them after returning from work. That way, I’m more like him — not very expressive.

When was the last time you did that?
A: A long time ago... Maybe I will do it today.
S: No, I think she is constantly expressing, messaging, or talking. As a family, we are like friends. When we go out as a family, people tell us we come across as strong friends, and I believe that’s the way parents should be.

In what way are you like your dad?
A: I am just like him...
S: (Interrupts) She is all stress. About everything. That’s the way I was. Bang-on punctual, extremely concerned about what the other person might think, whether I was upsetting someone else at my cost. I guess, all that is completely like me. And, she has a quick temper.
A: (Cuts in) I don’t get angry, I distance myself. That’s like him. I can cut somebody out of my life.

How are you guys different from each other then?
A: He is too nice, which I am not. So I feel pressured. Everybody says ‘your father is so sweet, you have such goodwill to live up to.’ And I am like, ‘I can’t live up to this’. I am not as nice as him.

Are you closer to him or your mom?
A: It’s different. While growing up, it was always mom, but now that I am in the same profession, I have more discussions with dad.
S: My wife is clueless about the industry.
A: But, it’s so good that I have one parent who I can go to for anything related to the industry. And then there’s another parent who I can basically run to for everything else.

Did you have the same rules for Athiya and Ahan?
S: Absolutely.
A: What rubbish! He never let me go to sleepovers, and Ahan always got them a lot easier than I did.
S: It’s the mother
A: No, it’s the father.
S: Mother and son relationship is crazy. Moms don’t know how to say no and they influence you, too. And you don’t want stress. So you say, ‘Theek hai’.

Have you yelled at your Dad or vice versa?
A: I don’t remember Dad ever yelling at me.
S: Since the time she was three, I used to say ‘Tiya’ in this particular tone and she would just start crying, that’s all it took. So I never said anything to her.
A: He was never strict about school or grades like other parents. I loved theatre and art, so he would always encourage that. There was only one rule — play a sport and go to the gym. Every season it was a different sport — swimming, basketball, etc.

Who is more at ease with your dad?
A: Ahan is more mindful of what he says in front of Dad. But, I can talk about anything to him.
S: Especially after she became an adult. They didn’t trouble me as kids. There were no rules in the house. You just need to be cautious and conscious about the things you do. That’s all.

Did you ever have to lie to him?
A: He trusts me and never said no to anything. The only time I remember having a fight is when I was 16, and I wasn’t allowed to go clubbing.
S: It was New Year’s Eve! I said, ‘Go wherever you want. Do not go to a public place or a jam session at night. Because if they catch you, it will be breaking news that Suniel Shetty’s daughter was caught’. And that’s exactly what happened.
A: There were cops, people shoving mikes into my face and the first person I called was Dad.
S: Under 18! I always just tell them not to get into trouble with the law because we are always targetted. After that incident, she and her brother have never gone out like that.

How did he react to the episode?
A: They were at a restaurant and he had to send someone to get me because there was media and he couldn’t come. I saw him and I couldn’t say a word. I was trembling. He didn’t say anything. That silent treatment was the worst. But, after I came back from New York, I never even had a deadline to come home.

And how did he react when you told him that you wanted to become an actress?
A: I always wanted to be an actress. I think he always knew it but never showed that he did. We were looking at colleges and I was at Heathrow Airport when he suddenly asked me, “Why aren’t you happy?” That’s when I told him I wanted to be an actress. He sat me down and he told me that he knew I’d be able to handle the success but what about that Friday?
S: Kids grow up watching us, so their first dream or wish will always be what their parents are. Naturally, they will come here. As long as you know what you want to do and what kind of graph you want, in spite of failure, you are welcome. Those are the only things I have always said. Be careful, work hard. 90-95 per cent of girls mature only after three years in the industry when people start recognising them. Whereas, for the guys, the first year is the decision making. You’re there or you’re out! (Smiles) It’s an absolute reversal.

Was it a conscious decision on your part to not launch her?
S: No. I don’t care about nepotism. It doesn’t matter. You tell me, in which profession do we not see kids taking up what their parents do? Mukesh Ambani won’t give his property and let his business be run by my son, however smart he might be.
A: Every family has a family business, so this too is as natural.
S: It happens in sports too. A cricketer who’s made it in cricket will try and make his son play the under 14, the under 19 and you groom someone that way. So 50 people who are desperate, and don’t have anything to do, write about it, doesn’t mean it’s correct.
A: I agree that I have been recognised and noticed because of who my father is. But then after I’m here, it’s up to my talent whether I can sustain... I have always said this. Your first film chooses you but then you choose your second, third, fourth and on...

Are you an over-protective and possessive father?
S: I am both!
A: No, you are not possessive!
S: No, I’m both and as long as she knows, what she’s doing and she believes it’s right, it’s right for me as well. I don’t care about what the world says or anybody says about anything. I believe in her.
A: Even if I made a mistake and come back and tell him about it, he will never say, ‘I told you so.’ They will be like you learnt from your mistake and you will move forward.

How important is it for you that your father likes your boyfriend?
A: It is extremely important. But I would only want that to happen when I know I’m extremely serious about that person. I wouldn’t introduce someone to my dad if I was doubtful about it. I would want to be sure. I might tell my mom about it though.

Has it ever happened that you have not liked any of her friends and she cut herself off from him/her?
A: No. Not at all. He’s never been like’ You can’t date this or that person’.
S: See, I dated someone for nine years.
A: (Cuts in) Exactly! He can’t tell me anything. He started dating my mom when she was 17. (Laughs)
S: (Continues) I came from a South Indian family and dated a Muslim girl. That was the only reason why my parents didn’t want me to get married. Time healed everything. She was the apple of my father’s eye. And my mother’s. People change over time too. Today, you might be XYZ but you change as you grow older. I was a brat when I was growing up. I used to beat people on the streets, but I have calmed down. I was friends with all the charsis in the world. It never mattered to me, as long as I knew where I was going and what they meant to me.
A: I don’t have charsi friends but (Laughs out loud)

Does it annoy you when people keep comparing you two?
A: Yes. This goodwill that he has in the industry, I can never have. (Laughs)
S: It’s an advantage too. Even if she doesn’t get that much of respect, acting wise, she’s safe. With a wooden actor like me, she doesn’t have to compete much to prove she’s better.
A: What rubbish!

One quality of each other you wish you had...
A: I wish I had his patience. I wish I was patient.
S: I think her energy and spontaneity. Even from an acting perspective, I am a very shy person. I’m very conscious of people. She doesn’t care, when the camera starts rolling. That magic is what you need to stand out as an actor. I have lacked that, straight from martial arts to movies.

One thing you wish you changed about each other...
A: His stress and I think he will change the same thing. It’s been passed on. (Makes a face) It’s in the genes so maybe if he had changed, I would have not been like this.
S: Her stress is unnecessary. Mine isn’t. She just gets stressed for anything and everything.
A: Even you just stress and fret about everything. (Laughs) One thing I have to admire that he never let us understand his highs and lows. I bring mine home.
S: Yes, and she doesn’t realise that this rubs off on parent ten times more. Parents are only concerned about their children. I could get on the streets tomorrow, lose everything I have. Still, I will have faith in myself that I will bounce back. But when your children go through that, it breaks you. The day you become a dad and you hold that child in your hands, you know your life’s over. You have to live for them now.

Have you ever thought about her marriage and how life would be without her?
A: (Shocked) What? This interview is over. (Laughs) I don’t think he wants me to get married because then, I will leave him and go (mock cries).
S: I think, Mana and me are more interested in having grandchildren. I want them to get married tomorrow so that I can have their babies to myself.
A: Oh God! First can you find me a boy? (Laughs)
S: I’m so ready to be a grandfather. Mana, more so. And there’s no child in the world who once comes to me would want to go back.
A: Thoughts about marriage? Absolutely not on the radar at all. First, let me find a boy. Secondly, let me work and that’s what I am concentrating on right now.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 29, 2017)

Upala KBR (DNA; April 3, 2017)

Charity has been a part of Athiya Shetty’s life since her childhood, as she invested time in her mother Mana’s child welfare organisation Save The Children over the years. The actress, now a 20-something, has personally started looking into the organisation’s work.

She tells us about her early days in social work, “I started when I was 10. I used to go after school ended and help teach children with special needs. And then as I grew older, I started working with adolescent girls, who were rescued.”

The actress doesn’t just spend time with the children, she also donates money to STC. But, she adds, the real joy they feel is when she spends time with them. “Time, I feel, is more important for these children, they feel special and loved when you even spend half a day with them. Besides that, I try and give away a percentage of my income and clothes and whatever I think they’d like/need,” she says.

The actress is currently shooting for Anees Bazmee’s next in London. And despite her hectic schedule, she always manages to find time for children. She credits her mom for her empathetic side, “I have learned so many things from my mom. She’s passionate about taking care of these children and making sure they receive an education, which is every child’s right, no matter what,” she adds.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 19, 2016)

Before the launch of a book on ace architect I M Kadri's legacy, daughter Mana and son-in-law Suniel Shetty talk about the overlap in their work, and their shared passions
Reema Gehi (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2016)

Thanks to his architect-father-in-law, Iftikhar M Kadri, actor Suniel Shetty reckons that he has always been inspired to look at all his film sets rather differently. "If you see all his work — and I am not just saying that because it's him — it's extraordinary," says Suniel, pointing to Kadri. "I have learnt to see everything from an architect's point of view — the thought behind the set and the light. I started getting more involved with every design of the film."

Kadri, now 86, is responsible for few of the most recognisable structures in the city (or in Suniel's words, "a gateway to South Bombay") — the Shivsagar Estate, The Happy Home and School for the Blind, Ceat House, Otters Club, Jivan and Manek as well as Grand Paradi Towers.

Referring to Kadri's self-designed sprawling apartment, on tony Napean Sea Road, where wife Mana joins him, Suniel observes, "Today, you're on the fourth floor of a building and have parked your car and walked into a house. Here, you are up in the sky, in your own individual villa, nobody can look into the house. Thirty-five years ago, if one thought like that, it's outstanding. It's truly a Swapnalok (the apartment's name) in the middle of the concrete jungle that this city has become."

Kadri turns to Suniel and Mana and explains, "You know why this building is built this way? Because this is a hill. Everybody else floored the hill, just cut it out. I used the hill."

The reputed architect's work, says Suniel, is like a blockbuster Bollywood film. "It has a great introduction. After a story opens, you reach an interval point, and then you go into climax. Without realising it, he has used the language of cinema," he elucidates.

A book, The Architecture of I M Kadri, penned by architecture theorist and editor, Kaiwan Mehta, celebrates the work of his extraordinary contribution to his oeuvre. The volume will be launched on April 7 at Worli's Nehru Centre (another landmark designed by Kadri) traces the architect's five-decade-long practice.

"His work has always fascinated me," continues the fond son-in-law. "Whenever he has worked on anything he has always kept in mind the light and ventilation and nature. Only if the exteriors work for him will he say yes to designing a building."

Suniel draws Kadri's attention to the unique structure he designed for the Oberoi Hotels in Bangalore, which was planned according to the direction of an expansive Rain tree's branches. Flipping through the pages of the hardbound volume that has the structure's original prototype, Kadri recalls, "When I visited the site for the first time in the late 1980s, it was a jungle. But there was this one beautiful tree. I thought to myself that this tree has to be preserved and it became the focal point of the project. In fact, I was very particular that nobody disturbs the tree because if it went, then my entire concept would have gone."

Kadri's passion and vision has influenced the entire family. "But Suniel the most," smiles daughter Mana. "It's uncanny how much he thinks like Dad. Now that he's working in real estate, I am experiencing the same thing with him."

The launch of Suniel's family venture dealing in luxury villas was an outcome of Kadri's impact. "Just like Dad, it is important for Suniel that the outdoor has to be indoors — green energy and landscape has to be present within a space," says Mana.

Growing up with Kadri was all about finding the beauty in art and architecture. "When we would travel, I'd be huffing and puffing, thinking about my designer boots and Dad would keep telling me to look at various structures and buildings," laughs Mana, who is a proprietor of an interior design store in Worli. "I am not educated as an interior decorator. But I feel that the sense of style is innate because I have grown up with it. It has helped me evolve as a designer."

"Like me," adds Kadri, "Mana draws very well. She has a sense of proportion." Mana turns to Dad, almost reminding him, "Well, I was a fashion designer for 25 years." She attributes her sense of style to her late mother, Vipula Kadri, founder of the NGO, Save the Children India. "Mom ran a boutique when she was pregnant with me," says Mana, "I emulated her style."

"Mom was a fabulous person," says Suniel, choking up at her memory. He was very involved in the promotion of the NGO from the outset. "I learnt so much from her."

Vipula's dream has become a common passion project that the family silently works on together. After her sudden death in 2007, Mana along with her siblings Rahul and Isha carried the baton forward, with Kadri's quiet, unwavering support, in memory of her "indomitable spirit and passion."

The family seems fluent in these languages of art, architecture, philanthropy, fashion and film, polyglots who absorb these idioms of expression through their close bonds. "It's part of our lives, be it setting up a structure, home or making a film," says Kadri. Suniel shares the sentiment. "I think waking up every morning and creating something new is exciting for us. A mundane nine to six job is not our thing," says the actor.

Daughter Athiya, who made her film debut last year with Hero and quickly earned the tag of a fashionista ("she's greatly influenced by her nani," says Mana), follows on that path. "I was fascinated to see her on the screen; I thought she would be shy and reserved. But she surprised me," says Kadri, of his granddaughter. "My grandson (Ahan), on the other hand, is ready to go any day in cinema. I can't wait for him to make a mark."

Manish Mishra (DNA; October 20, 2015)


B-Town aspirants. Besides giving them priceless guidance and incredible exposure that many starry-eyed youngsters only dream of. Now the newest debutant to be groomed, mentored and launched by Khan is Ahaan Shetty — Suniel and Mana Shetty’s son.

Proud mama, Mana Shetty shares, “Ahaan was the one who always wanted to get into the industry; not Athiya. Athiya wasn’t sure. It’s only when she did Drama in the high levels at school and travelled and performed, that she got into it,” she informs.

Ahaan is training himself rigorously to enter B-Town and is known to be dedicated to his workout regime. Like his sister Athiya, he too has been gifted with defined facial features and an athletic body. Athiya has already proved her mettle as a promising debutante and now all eyes are set on her good-looking brother.

With Salman’s guidance and encouragement and dad Suniel’s goodwill in the industry, it won’t take long for Ahaan to pave his path successfully.

Mana and Suniel Shetty emotionally prepare for Athiya’s big screen entry
Chandrima Pal (MID-DAY; August 23, 2015)

Mana Shetty struggles to put a name to her emotions, as she watches her daughter, Athiya walk across the Balinese terrace garden at R-House in Worli. Athiya, who makes her debut with Sooraj Pancholi in Hero, has an army of young boys and girls buzzing around her, tucking away that obstinate lock, brushing up that incredible jawline, patting some delinquent creases as we speak.

In her diva curls, stilettos, flared red pants and a tie-back top, Athiya is already a star. “But I hate being called a star-mom,” says Mana, who is known in film and society circles for her poise and affable airs. “There are certain connotations to it,” says the proud mother even as she embraces her new identity “wholeheartedly.” “I was with Athiya only on the day of the mahurat. I never visited the set. I didn’t watch the rough cuts, even when I was invited to. But she knows I am always just a phone call away.”

Suniel and Mana Shetty’s children — Athiya and Ahan — are stepping into the film industry. And they can both hope to ride on the goodwill that their father has commanded over the decades. “But ours is an incredibly down-to-earth family,” says Suniel, who believes his daughter enjoys a good mix of Mana’s good looks and his personality. “She is my carbon copy,” he says as all three of them huddle for the photo shoot, talking about how both, father and daughter can swing between extremes of emotions.

The couple looks perfectly coordinated in blue and brown. They laugh about it, with Mana gently nudging her husband, when he alleges playfully that she has been copying him, down to the shoes. Jokes apart, Suniel is relatively more hands on with Athiya’s career than Mana, although he has tutored himself not to pry beyond a point. “As actor and father, I briefed Nikhil (Nikhil Advani, the director) about Athiya’s strengths. That’s about it. We knew it was best to let the professionals do their job.” He is referring to brand wiz Reshma Shetty and the film’s producer Salman Khan, besides Advani.

One of life’s biggest life lessons Suniel shared with Athiya was how to tackle the “Fear of Fridays”. “He told me that there would be a fantastic Friday followed by some really disappointing ones. You have to take it in your stride.”

Confident as he may be about his daughter’s “professional packaging” as he puts it, Suniel believes there is only so much he can do. “There is a certain kind of professionalism in the industry today, which we did not encounter. There are image managers, brand managers, bound scripts… the machinery is geared towards reducing risks in the profession.” For the mother, Athiya has been a model child. Knocking on wood, tapping her head several times during the conversation, she looks back at Athiya’s adolescence as “a surprisingly smooth phase.” The only time she got her parents in a knot was when she was 18. “She took us through the entire rigmarole of visiting American colleges that offered liberal arts courses, but did not like any of them,” Suneil says. Choosing American School’s IB programme for her was meant to lead in that direction. But Athiya’s heart clearly lay elsewhere.

It was after Mana sat her down for a heart to heart that she opened up about her wish to be an actress. In 2011, she went to New York to study acting, and it proved to be a turning point. “For the first time in my life I was living alone. I was ironing my clothes, cooking my food, doing things I have never had to do,” she says. “It changed me.” In her apartment in the heart of Union Square, Athiya learned and loved to “live with silence”. It is important to be able to do that as an actor,” she says, adding, “I learned about attachment, detachment and grew as a person.”

The Shettys say they have spared no effort in ensuring that their children stay grounded despite being to the manor born. “And that’s also because they have grown up with their grandparents,” says Suniel. “Even when I’d shoot, I would come back home and be a father, husband, son.”

This conversation couldn’t be complete without touching on the sensitive subject of Athiya’s controversial co-star, Sooraj Pancholi. Soon after their project was announced, he was drawn into a case involving former girlfriend and actress Jiah Khan’s suicide. “As a mother, I was worried,” Mana says, choosing her words carefully. “I could understand the pain that her mother was going through. I could also understand what Zarina (Sooraj’s mother) underwent. But then I met Sooraj and realised he is a completely different person from what we were being led to believe. He reminded me of my son — shy, soft- spoken and respectful towards women.” The past is evidently behind him as Sooraj gets the thumbs up from his co-star as well. “Once he starts his round of interviews and interactions with the media, people will get to know the real him,” she says.

In fact, both Mana and Suniel say that confidence is Athiya’s biggest strength. They watch her at photo shoots, media interactions and flick away a tear or two. “When I watched the first cut, I had tears in my eyes,” says Suniel. “Her other unique quality is a hunger for knowledge. She is a learner, constantly studying, watching, observing and growing.”

We leave the sprawling interior design store with its equestrian artefacts, tulip chandeliers and frangipani blooms, with the three Shettys wrapping up the remainder of the picture perfect shoot with a cheerful selfie.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; August 16, 2015)

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 4, 2015)

July will be doubly special for Suniel and Mana Shetty. The month will begin with their daughter, Athiya making her big screen debut and end with a special needs teenager of their NGO flying down to Los Angeles for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Vipul Jain, a 17-year-old mentally challenged student, has qualified for a softball tournament in the upcoming world event. He is enrolled with Save The Children India, a voluntary organisation founded by Mana’s mother Vipula Kadri. After her death, the actor and his entrepreneur wife took on the responsibility to run it.

Among its various interventions, the NGO runs a special school for hearing impaired and mentally challenged children. Around 250 special children from slum areas are study there.

Mana and Suniel are on cloud nine after news trickled in about Vipul’s qualification in the US sports event which will be held between July 25 and August 2. “For both of us, all the students are like our children and we celebrate their successes as our own,” she says. The actor says, “We have seen Vipul since his kindergarden days and for me, his achievements hold as much value as Athiya’s or Ahaan’s success does.”

Vipul, who excels at a variety of sports and has won medals and trophies at state level athletic and table tennis competitions, says: “I feel encouraged while playing sports in their presence.”

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; May 7, 2014)

Suniel Shetty, 53, may have become a star, but his heart still remains with cricket, his first love. He is emotional, blunt and hardworking, who may have the image of being good in business, but he is ruled by his heart and feels responsible towards people around him, be it his own family or his staff. His anchor remains his family and his father, his hero. Ahead of his upcoming film Koyelaanchal, he talks about the stylish Jackie Shroff, his caring wife Mana and why Balasaheb Thackeray was a great leader. Excerpts:


How did you come into the film industry?
We are from the small Bunts community, originally from Mangalore. My dad lost his father when he was nine and ran away from home to come to Mumbai to feed his mother and his three siblings. He joined one of the Udupi restaurants as a cleaner boy from where, due to his hard work, he became a manager. The owner of the restaurant had three restaurants. The owner wanted to retire and go back to Karnataka, which is when he offered my dad the option of taking over the restaurants. I was born in Mangalore, where my nani lived, but was raised throughout in Mumbai. I never thought of doing films and was always obsessed with cricket. I met Vivian Richards for the first time when I was 14. I had never seen such forearms like his. He used to hit real hard. I went upto him and asked him how he had such shoulders and he said, ‘Weight training.’ I started weight training, thinking I would hit as hard as him. I played for Mumbai under 16 under Ravi Shastri. Politics took over in the team at that time and I knew that not being a Maharashtrian, I would not make it to the Indian team. I was very disappointed, but started pursuing martial arts. I became a black belter in kickboxing and started training the Maharashtra police. I continued to run the restaurant and started my own fashion store Mischief, till I met Pahlaj Nihalani, who offered me a role in Arzoo. The film did not work out and he offered me another film, Ek Aur Faulad. In the meantime, Raju Balwani offered me Balwaan, which started and finished earlier and became my debut film at 29.


Talk about your father, Veer Shetty?
He is my hero. When my mom had three children, he gave away two restaurants to a manager and looked after only one, so that he could give us time. He was always there when we came back home for lunch. He was uneducated, but today reads every paper and is far more knowledgeable than me and my two sisters. He knew that I love cricket, so he got me whatever I wanted and always stood on the side, quietly watching me play. He always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to. In our community, the girl child is valued and the daughter is the most important thing. In the absence of a will, everything goes to her. My dad borrowed money and made money enough only to be able to send my two sisters to study abroad. I was fine with that as I loved India and my parents the most, and I stayed back to look after the restaurant. There was a period a few years back when I lost six members of my family to cancer, including my brother-in-law and that was a very messy period. My sister now lives with us and is with me in my real estate and lifestyle business. I have always lived with my dad, but past six months he has got paralysed.


You are amongst the few stars who seem to be loyal to your wife Mana.
I met Mana when she was in college. She always thought that I was a goon, as I was this guy with long hair on a motorcycle with my gang of friends and girls always around me, and thought that I was the type of guy who would never settle down. She is extremely elegant and simple and has blind faith in whatever I do. We were seeing each other for nine years, but my parents never met her as they believed that Mana being a half-Muslim and half-Kapoor, our marriage would never work. My mom wanted me to get married but I refused, saying that if I could not marry Mana, I would stay single. I was leaving for my first outdoor shoot at Ooty and my dad came to see me off at the airport. Mana, too, wanted to come and I could not refuse either of them. She was standing at the back as she did not want to come in front of him. He saw her and said, ‘Go, say bye to her.’ After six hours, I reached Ooty via Bangalore and kept calling Mana on her landline, but was told that she had not reached home. I was really worried and then called up my own place. To my surprise, Mana picked up. My dad had taken her home from the airport. From that day, she visited them everyday post her work for the 40 days that I was shooting. As soon as I came back, my dad asked, ‘Ready for shaadi?’ She has fit in beautifully. She really cares for them and they love her more than me today. Even though my dad can communicate only through sign language now, you say, ‘Mana’ and he lights up.


Do you have friends in the industry?
Jackie Shroff, Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Sohail Khan and Abhishek Bachchan are my friends. Ajay is very correct, honest, simple and an absolute prankster, but someone you can always depend on. Salman and me go back a long way and Jackie dada, even before that. When Salman and Jackie would come to my store Mischief, I knew they would come and strip me off all that I was wearing, be it my belt or my shirt. Jackie would come and say, ‘Shirt nikaal’. Jackie dada was a star even before he came into films. We lived in the same area and grew up watching him. At 13, we would only be watching what he was wearing. Even in his normal shorts and kurta, he was no less than Clint Eastwood for us, as he was so stylish. He would walk into dandiyas and move around and if someone said, ‘Jackie aaya,’ we would just say, ‘Chal nikle,’ and would move to the next building. It was just his personality and his looks. I used to hate Anil Kapoor till the time I met him, as Jackie and Anil were pitted against each other and for us, our hero was Jackie Shroff. He was the model for Four Square and even now, I can close my eyes and imagine him. Dada would come and sit on the steps of Mischief and there would be crowds and crowds just to see him. He was a star in Mumbai even before he became an actor. He was that Four Square model whom boys gave up other brands for, to have his brand. I called him after seeing his son Tiger in the song Whistle Bajaa from Heropanti and asked him, ‘Dada, whose genes are there in Tiger?' as he was dancing so well. Dada immediately said, ‘Mine’. I said, ‘Dada aap ungli uthate the. Which dance have you done?' We could never learn to dance as we grew up seeing you close dancing as you could close dance on any song.' How much he laughed and called me a big kutta. He is a star. Salman is one of the most misunderstood people on earth. People talk about his human side now. I remember, long back, we were all in a star rally for some cause and suddenly Salman said to me, ‘I will just come back.’ I later came to know that he had gone to get his bone marrow tested, so that he could give it to a poor kid who was suffering from cancer. He and Sanju have always given to people all the time. Abhishek is a much better actor than what you have seen. His approach is far more casual, but in reality, he is a much more intense person and is very loving and affectionate, who will go out of his way to do things for you.


Are you politically aligned?
No, not at all and I would never like to come into politics. As reported, I was never a star campaigner for anybody. I have always stood by friends. If they are doing legitimate work, are genuine and content with the wealth they have, I will campaign for them. I campaigned for Paresh Rawal as I believe he will make a difference to cinema. When he did Hera Pheri with me, he had 100 offers but he chose theatre. He is one of the simplest people you can meet. Arun Jaitley is a family friend. I campaigned for Ravi Kishan for Congress. Mahesh Manjrekar is standing for MNS and wanted me to but am not able to.


With your background of martial arts, did you ever get physical?
My dad likes my honesty and has always stood by me due to that. Within me, that became my nature and I wanted to do things the right way to match up to his expectations. I would, however, get aggressive or angry if I found someone doing the wrong thing and could even get physical. We started with South Indian restaurants and then moved on to bars and restaurants, which were in difficult areas. I still feel that those days were better than today. When Balasaheb Thackeray was alive, the shakas were prominent and while they came to you asking for money during Ganpati and other times, they were also the eyes that protected the streets and the girls. With the death of Balasaheb and the breakup of Uddhav and Raj, the fear went away. Otherwise, they ruled. Balasaheb was a leader who had a tremendous sense of humour and was extremely simple and a great artist. My father always believed in me. Once, this police guy came to our restaurant and beat up my manager for the wrong reasons, as he had refused to pay bribe to him, and so, the police guy slapped him along with two hookers from the area. I went to the police station, I still remember he was buttoning himself and I whacked him. I had hit a cop at the police station and there was a case. I used to train cops and so every cop stood by me and the guy was suspended for a year. The cop went to my father to complain about me. My father said, ‘Oh, you are Mr Das.’ He took out his slipper and hit him and said, ‘My son will not do anything wrong and if he has done something wrong, he will come and tell me. I came to Mumbai without anything. I have three restaurants. I will lose everything but will fight as I know my son is right.’ I was a very good son and never crossed the line on anything. I didn’t smoke or drink. Even in the industry, we are always surrounded by beautiful girls. But I never crossed my line. The choice is between gaining momentarily and losing a hell of a lot. It was a conscious effort. My friends make fun of me, but it doesn’t matter. Ajay says, Mumbai mein sirf do log subah uthte hain — doodhwala aur doosra Suniel Shetty. Even when a tree stops bearing fruits, its shade protects you. My father’s health really worries me and I don’t like the feeling of being the head of the family.

As their 19-year old daughter Athiya kickstarts her Bollywood career with a remake of the 1983 blockbuster Hero, Mana and Suniel Shetty talk about her controversial co-star Sooraj Panscholi, mentor Salman Khan and the inevitable romance rumour
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 26, 2014)


How involved are you both in Athiya’s maiden film, the Hero remake? 
Suniel: No interference, not even inputs. 
Mana: We have left the decision making to Salman Khan (producer) and Nikhil Advani (director).
 
When did Athiya decide that she wants to pursue acting?
Suniel: It happened about a year-and-half back.
Mana: Suddenly one night, she came into our room and said, "I want to do something creative. I want to be an actress."
 
Did you try to hold her back? 
Suniel: Why would we do that? Bollywood is a beautiful, exciting place to be. Every day you meet new people. Yes, many told me that the industry is not a easy place for girls and daughters in particular. And I would tell them the industry is just a small part of this world. I don't think it would be a difficult place for someone coming from a secure background. 
Mana: My daughter is an extremely confident girl who knows what is right and what is wrong. Importantly, she is not out to emulate anybody.
 
But surely, you must have briefed her before she signed the film? 
Suniel: I just told her, "See that you conduct yourself well, let no Friday scare you and work hard." 
Mana: She is a mature person.
 
Reportedly, you had reservations about Athiya's co-star Sooraj Pancholi after he got embroiled in the Jiah Khan controversy…
Suniel:Aditya and Zarina have gone through a lot. If my son was in jail, I wouldn't have been able to take it. I sympathise with him. Why would I wish ill for my contemporary’s (Aditya Panscholi) son? Moreover, Salman believes in Sooraj and he and I share a great rapport. 
Mana: Jiah was a sweet girl. Athiya knew her too and was very upset after she passed away. But we had no objections to her working with Sooraj.

Athiya will have to face her share of rumours and link ups now…
Suniel: Nothing is bigger than the social media today, they are worse than the papparazi. 
Mana: Random people taking pictures and uploading them on the Internet is a nuisance. At least, the print and TV media call us to verify.
 
Is Athiya a part of your charity?
Suniel:It's a life-changing experience. 
Mana: My mom Vipula Kadri's NGO Save The Children of India, has now passed on to my brother, sister and me. We host, Araish, a fundraising exhibition for talented designers.
 
You were at Athiya’s first day shoot, will you always be so protective?
Suniel: We were on the sets for just five minutes. 
Mana: The days of "Mummy, listen to me" are gone. I don’t need to be around.
 
How driven is she? 
Suniel: She loves Hindi films and likes most of them. She is extremely motivated and knows she is in the right place. 
Mana: Even as a student, she got 90 per cent and above. When she played football, she always played to win. Also, she is a superb swimmer.
 
Is she fashion and weight conscious? 
Suniel: I don’t think so.
Mana: Her attitude is, "Let the world say anything, I don't care!" That says it all.