There is a smile on our face this workday morning. Surprising, because for someone who is not a morning person, an interview before 10 am is not typically ideal. But actor-entrepreneur Suniel Shetty, who is on the other end of the telephone call, has regaled us with stories and life lessons. It’s what has won him a new pool of fans on LinkedIn—at last count, his follower base was at 5,52,820.

It’s rather unusual for a Bollywood actor to take to a business and employment-focused social media platform. “This was my biggest fear too,” says the 62-year-old, “it’s not an actor’s medium. I dilly-dallied for long, questioning if I should be on the platform. But my core team, especially my kids [Athiya and Ahan] encouraged me saying, ‘papa because of your experiences with ajja [my father] and all that he has taught you, there is so much you can say to create an impact’.”

Having realised that his Instagram was disorganised and his Twitter account only used “to get a message out there or to compliment and thank people”, he decided to give LinkedIn a shot.

He joined the platform less than a year ago, and almost immediately started winning people over. “It is the only place I express myself in as many words,” he feels.

Taking out time between running his restaurants and businesses, and juggling his passion for acting and sports, Shetty reflects on learnings from his childhood, his travels, and personal life. He usually shares detailed voice notes with members from his team, who then put his thoughts out there. “The thoughts, feelings and experiences are mine. The language is mine—simple usually. I proofread everything before it is posted,” he says.

Shetty’s latest post is about the young talent of influencers, content creators and marketing teams with whom he shot promotional work for his new web show Hunter. This post came three weeks after the last one and speaks about the traditional and current mediums of marketing.

“Back in the day, we’d spend weeks travelling across key markets, visiting colleges, markets and media outlets to promote our films. And while that had its own charm, it was time consuming and perhaps even inefficient given that there was no real way to track returns on those spends,” he writes, adding that traditional mediums like print, outdoor and radio were relied upon heavily for all the promotional work.

He brings up the same during our conversation. “I was busy for the last two weeks with Hunter’s release and other commitments, but I knew the subject of my next post was going to be these passionately driven influencers and marketers who took time to listen to me and do things my way.” There was a lot, he says, he learned from them, especially how to stay relevant.

Shetty is also equally invested in the comments and appreciation he gets for his posts. “I dedicate half-an-hour every evening to read the comments, pick up suggestions, interact with my followers, and also add some of these perspectives to my dictionary. It is like going back to school.”

What works in his favour is that he does not shy away from accepting his shortcomings, including for instance, how he is yet to understand the film business fully. “I am like anybody else,” says the actor, who made his debut in 1992 with the movie Balwaan, which wasn’t a box office wonder. “I have my faults, and I put them out there openly. In the virtual world, the most important asset is to be real.”

In his 33-year-long Bollywood career, he often let his emotions take over and did films without thinking. “It is a career learning that I wanted to share. People should take their time and step back,” he adds. He also regrets having done some of the stunts that he performed early on in his career and tells us that he won’t let his son Ahan take the same track.

“I thought I was a bad actor, and needed to prove myself by doing these death-defying stunts. What if something had happened to me and 10 of my producers had got stuck and had to sell their homes, because the films were left incomplete?” At the time, he says, he should have been more focused on content, reading, arguing and understanding scripts, instead of taking on too much work, which hampered the quality of the end product.

Shetty credits his father Veerapa Shetty, who passed away in 2017, for his self-awareness and honesty. His father ran a few Udupi restaurants, and Shetty remembers helping him with the service as a young kid. 

“My work ethic, growth, survival skills and patience, all come from him. Sometimes, a drunk customer would come up and abuse me. He’d never allow me to retaliate and advised me to serve the paying customer. Even if he did not pay, I’d have to let him go. More often than not, he’d return the next day, pay and apologize. By the third day, he’d come along with his entire family. All this [was possible] because of my father’s patience.”

Imparting life lessons is one thing, but the veteran actor says he is also learning from the platform. “Even though I may be highlighting a mistake I made in the post, that honesty brings in acceptance and respect.”

The actor who says that he plans to write the next one about the four pillars of his life, highlights the importance of a guru, mentor or teacher. 

“Imagine a dark highway. Your car’s headlight is the only light for you to see 100 metres ahead. As you keep moving forward, the 100m distance keeps expanding and you reach your destination. Without that light, you’re fumbling in the dark. A guru is like that [light],” he tells us.

Next on his agenda outside of the platform, is doling out lessons on fitness. “We will unveil this in the next 10 days,” he informs. “It will be exciting, simple, transforming and will get India fit. It is a CSR venture and we are currently working with men in uniform. I believe wellness is cheaper than illness, so pick it up.”

Suniel Shetty pictured here with his family. The photo was posted by Shetty on his LinkedIn feed while sharing an account on his father Veerapa Shetty and the lessons from helping out in his Udupi restaurant business

As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 15, 2019)

I’m a hotel management student and my basic work ethics from the industry is to serve till the end. Even today, it is no big deal for me to open doors, serve food, clean tables and even shift furniture around as I used to do at my dad’s South Indian restaurant when I was 15. My dad started out as a cleaner in Mumbai before buying two restaurants, Broadway around Minerva Talkies and Ramanjay near Central Plaza theatre. I also had the urge to earn since I was a boy and while I was in college, I worked at the restaurant during lunch hour and in the evening. After we downed the shutters, I would go for a night show since we had theatres around. That’s how the filmi keeda got into my system.

A couple of years later, I wanted to do something different. I had this fascination of dressing up well and started a boutique, (now defunct) Mischief, with five friends. It was on Nepean Sea Road and quickly became a fashion hub with even international publications writing about my little big store in Mumbai which stocked the best of fashion. That was a big high and we started a store of formals next, More Mischief, along with Mischief Blues which was the go-to place for denims. Dabbling in the clothing business, I learnt about different types of fabrics, the thickness of denim and the T-shirt stretch and also continued with my other obsession, cricket. I played for Mumbai Under-16 and Under-19 under Ravi Shastri. It was my dream to play for Team India but there’s so much talent in our country that I couldn’t progress further.

A lot of celebrities, including movie producers, used to visit our store, that’s how I got offered a film even though I had no training in acting and no experience whatsoever. I had not even seen the inside of a studio till then. I consulted with dad who urged me to give it a shot. My first film, Arzoo, was just days away from the finish when it hit a roadblock. It was eventually shelved due to creative differences between the producer and director. I started my Bollywood journey with Balwaan but since I come from a business background, I know that life can be uncertain, so after my clothing stores shut shop, I invested in a real estate company, S2 Reality. I had also started a fine-dining restaurant in Mumbai, which is now in more able hands.

My last screen turn was in Desi Kattey in 2014. I took a break from films to spend time with my father after he suffered a paralytic attack. I had stopped enjoying the process of acting and decided to get into something more challenging. FTC started off as the sole fitness content provider to D2H platforms and now we provided ‘edutainment’ to budding actors. That includes jobs in acting, editing and direction to name a few. The idea is to turn it into the ‘Linkedin’ of entertainment industry and help organise an unorganised sector.

I’m also starting a cricket league with Zaheer Khan, FCB, for those who want to play the sport but have no place to go. I’m also back in film production and acting. I’ve just finished a Kannada film with Sudeep, Pailwaan, and now will start shooting for Marakkar - The Lion of Arabian Sea with Priyadarshan.

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; 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.