Actor Suniel Shetty turned 65 on August 11 and penned a heartfelt note on LinkedIn recently, reflecting on how his priorities towards work have evolved over the years. The actor now opens up about navigating the industry at his age and what continues to shape his career.

“Even now, I’m not easily available. I’ve made sure that I only associate with people I believe will help me grow and do something that leaves a positive impact on people,” Suniel shares, adding that his relevance also comes from his positive approach to life. “I’m very content, happy and very secure and that is basically the relevance.”

The actor, who was last seen in Welcome To The Jungle and reportedly has an action film in the pipeline with Tiger Shroff, also reflects on embracing his age and working alongside the younger generation. “Accepting roles which were age appropriate is the only reason I’ve landed myself into this position, because there’s no point competing with kids half your age who are better looking, better built, and masters of their craft,” he says adding that this philosophy extends beyond the screen into his life as well.

“I’ve accepted it very gracefully, be it in my role of a husband, a son, a father or a grandfather. I’m consistently working on myself, thus I’ve perhaps delayed the process of ageing, but it’s nothing to be shy about. Wrinkles will always be there and that is a part of my life now,” he says.

Once the poster boy of masculine protagonists in Hindi cinema, Suniel further reflects on how the portrayal of masculinity has evolved in Bollywood, with alpha and hypermasculine heroes taking centre stage.

Comparing it with the ’90s, he says, “The scripts were alpha then. They were very strong character-wise. It was for the love of the country, the uniform, the mother, sister and family, and that was the alpha male. It’s a bit negative today probably because there is too much violence, as we want to make it as real and gruesome as possible. The ’90s films weren’t as gruesome. Sometimes, it’s difficult to even watch a complete action scene because of the blood and gore in it, and that’s the only thing that I don’t like about films today,” he ends.

Actor-producer Suniel Shetty has many memorable roles to his name on screen, but the role that has shaped him the most is the one he has played off screen — that of a parent. On Parents’ Day today, Suniel reflects on how becoming a father changed the way he looked at responsibility and the choices he made as an actor.

“When I became a father, I carried this image of an actor very responsibly. I made sure that I didn’t do films that I was gonna be embarrassed about tomorrow. Success and failure are not an embarrassment. It’s the roles that you do and that you regret is what embarrassment is all about, and that’s why I chose films which had national pride in it; pride of the uniform,” he says. Last year, Suniel stepped into the shoes of a father on screen too, as he played actor Khushi Kapoor’s dad in Nadaaniyan.

Speaking about being a parent to his children — actors Athiya Shetty, 33, and Ahan Shetty, 30 — Suniel believes that the responsibility of parenthood never truly ends, no matter how old children become.

“As a parent, you always have your children’s comfort in the back of your mind driving your decisions. So whether it’s career, health, or parenting, that is something that will always be a concern,” he says, adding, “That is the beauty of parenthood, the beauty of being a mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.”

For the 64-year-old, watching his children carve their own paths has been a source of pride. Athiya began her career as an actor in 2015 but chose to step away from the profession to focus on her family after marrying cricketer K L Rahul in 2023 and welcoming their daughter, Evaarah Vipula Rahul last year. Ahan, meanwhile, had a challenging start to his acting journey with Tadap (2021), but found renewed success this year with Border 2.

Suniel shares, “I’m very happy with the way they’ve conducted themselves, the way they’ve projected themselves and the impact that they have on people and kids their age. But that concern, love, and that feeling of wanting everything to be fairy tale-like for your children, that is something that’ll never change.”

Legions of fans have flocked to the theatres to watch Border 2 since its release. Yet, one person has quietly stayed away from the Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty-starrer — Suniel Shetty. Last week, even as Suniel attended the première of his son’s war drama, he was seen hanging outside the auditorium, while his wife Mana Shetty, daughter Athiya, and son-in-law K L Rahul watched the movie with Ahan.

“I sat for three-and-a-half hours outside the theatre, meeting people and soaking in all the compliments,” he smiled, recalling the evening.

Some may be baffled by his decision. But others may identify with Suniel, seeing how his deep desire for his son’s success led him to make a vow. “I had said from Day One that I will not watch Border 2 until it crosses a worldwide collection of Rs. 500 crore. I had kept a mannat for Ahan. Till now, I haven’t watched a single frame. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not arrogance about the film,” shared the senior actor, who had played Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh Rathore in the 1997 original directed by J P Dutta.

What happens if director Anurag Singh’s latest instalment — which depicts a chapter of the 1971 India-Pakistan war — falls short of the figure? Suniel is hopeful that a father’s prayers will not go unanswered.

“I am hoping it will cross Rs 500 crore. Mana loved Border 2. Everybody who has watched the film has appreciated Ahan’s work. I am happy that after Dhurandhar [2025], another Hindi movie has worked brilliantly.”

Hopefully it will be a matter of time before the proud father can watch the movie on the big screen. He has already made plans for the big day.

“I will watch it with Ahan, his friends, and my family. I will also take Sunny paaji, Varun, and all of them with me. It will probably be the second time for them, but it will be my first. I don’t know how many times I will watch it after that. I have always been proud of Ahan and his decisions. He strongly believed that Border 2 was the film he wanted to do.”

When Suniel Shetty and Ahan Shetty sit down together, the conversation is as much about cinema as it is about courage and strength — to be vulnerable, to withstand judgment, and to allow each other the freedom to fall, rise, unlearn and recharge. On the Bombay Times Lounge, Suniel brings his trademark candour and talks about the dangers of both success and failure, while Ahan reflects on carrying a celebrated surname without letting it define or confine him. The full, unfiltered conversation drops tonight on the Bombay Times YouTube Channel, offering a rare, intimate look at what it means to stand tall together under the spotlight. Excerpts:

Ahan: Dad shows his vulnerable side, not just at home, even outside. He shows his emotions; he is who he is, and that’s why people love him.

Suniel: You have to be vulnerable, as that’s the side of you that your kids see, else you will be putting up a façade. At the recent Border 2 event, if I got teary-eyed, that was the father in me. That moment mattered to me most when Ahan came next to me and placed his hand on my back – that’s when my emotions flowed. When it comes to your children, I think parents are most vulnerable and become a completely different person.

Suniel: That is the scary part. I have told my kids that I know you’ll see success and handle it, but will you be able to handle failure? Because it’s a ruthless world out there. It’s a virtual world. Abuse is abuse. And being first and not right is what news is often all about. And that can destroy an individual. So, I tell my kids to be ready for that. Make sure that notifications and approval are not what your life is all about. Cut off when you have to. Engage, let people know what you are up to and then disconnect.

Ahan: It is hard. But I think we’ve grown up in an environment where dad kept us away from everything, so Athiya and I had a world beyond movies. A lot of my friends are not from the industry, and I think that is very important to have before you step into a career like this. You need to be grounded. You need to have those friends who tell you, “Hey, relax!”

Suniel: That’s the sad part about sports, cinema and politics. You’re in the public eye and have to constantly prove yourself. We’ve got another kid at home (K L Rahul) who is a cricketer and has to constantly prove himself. They (Athiya, K L and Ahan) sit together and share things. It’s important to have a family that can actually tell you what it is to handle the highs and lows. We talk about individuals and freedom. I think what we need is the joint family system, where the family can help you handle the highs and lows in life because both could be dangerous at times.

Ahan: She’s my go-to person for anything and everything. I’ve seen her grow and mature so much more throughout this journey of motherhood. It’s surreal for me to see her in that way.

Suniel: It is tough. It is his journey, his choice of films and I’m absolutely fine with that. But apart from that, if you’re going to take a potshot at my son, I’d sit down once, I’d sit down twice, then I’m a Shetty boy and old school is old school. I will not let go. I will take you on. I will take you on the way you want me to take you on, because I’m clean and honest here, and also fearless. It’s only when you are honest that you are fearless. That’s the way it is going to be. I didn’t interfere during his debut film, Tadap, even once, nor did I say I want to see even one frame of Border 2 during its making. For this film, only when they told me to be there at an event, I was there. It’s my son’s film, so it’s my film and I’ll do it. It’s his journey, of course, I will keep guiding him whenever he needs me, as my years of experience have taught me a lot.

Ahan: At times, I do, even Athiya does, and we tell him. I think she is more assertive. We know how far he can go for someone, and we know how much he can do for a person, so it’s like we have to hold him back.

Ahan: We definitely have, maybe it will happen when the time is right. I’ve taken that step in a way, by being a part of Border 2, and being a part of an iconic film franchise that my father was a part of.

Ahan: Carrying my father’s legacy forward is very important to me. Obviously, I have his name, and I want to carry forward that name. The pressure is there and will always be there, but I try not to focus on that. A lot of people on social media say, ‘You’ll never be like your father.’ I know I’ll never be like him. I can’t compare myself to him and I won’t. This is my journey. I just hope that I can be true to myself and be honest in terms of my performances and with the people around me.

Two generations. One powerful surname. And a story that goes far beyond the movies. Suniel Shetty— one of Hindi cinema’s original action heroes, known for his discipline, grit and integrity, and Ahan Shetty — a bright, young actor finding his voice in an industry driven by clicks, commentary and constant comparison. Our next guests on the Bombay Times Lounge are the father–son duo, sitting down for a rare, unfiltered conversation — moving from Border to Border 2, from fame to family, from nepotism to self-belief. This isn’t just about a surname. It’s about the family behind it and the bonds that tie them. The promo drops today. Here’s a sneak peek into the conversation. Watch out for the full episode coming soon on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

“We always want our kids to be happy, and I am not talking about success. I’m scared of failure in the industry and not of success. In other fields, when you fall, you get up and start walking. Here, when you fall, the world looks at you, and they make you feel that you’re nothing. People feel that Hindi film actors are illiterate; they don’t know anything. We know a lot and we are smart. In today’s times, failure is sometimes more celebrated than success. It’s a fact.”

“Today, people just react to what they see in a 2-3 second clip. That’s what’s happening in my generation. We’re being put up against each other. I know there are comparisons between Ahaan Panday and me. I know that guy. I know how hard he’s worked for his film and everything that he’s done to prepare for it. There’s no competition between us. We have our own careers. There is so much love and respect amongst each other and that is what needs to come out. We’re all one industry. Social media has created a divide and that’s why you don’t see so much support for one another.”

“Has anybody seen the film (Border 2)? Nobody has seen the film. We’ve seen glimpses of the film. Varun Dhawan will kill it in the film, he’s outstanding. Varun is not playing himself; he is playing a decorated officer who’s given his life for the country. So, I think we should think a little bit before we go out there and say these things. Today, it’s very easy to trash someone and run them down.”

Talking about self-belief and dignity, Suniel says, "I am who I am, but my attitude depends on who you are. You treat me right, and I treat you like a god and a goddess. If you don’t, then you don’t even exist for me in a room. And that’s my approach to everything today. That’s the confidence I go with. I tell everybody that all of you have that in you. Bring out the ‘X’ factor in you and see the difference."

“It’s been a long journey since Tadap came out in 2021. It’s definitely not been easy. I mean, the whole nepotism debate comes up a lot. I’ve always accepted it. My father is an actor, and I wanted to be an actor. I think it is important to stay focused on what you want to do and not let the noise around you affect you too much. I focus on giving my director and producer my 200 per cent.”

“I’m very close to a lot of the actors in the industry. But at the same time, it’s not that I socialise with them. That respect is there from a work perspective and for the kind of individual that they are. If you tell me that ‘X’ is not a good person, that means nothing to me. It is my judgment of the person that matters. I don’t judge; we never judge. At home, we don’t talk about careers at all, we talk about character. It is about how you behave, whether it is Rahul, Athiya or Ahan.”

“Right now, our world and all our conversations at home revolve around Evaarah (Athiya’s daughter). She’s brought us closer and we even went on a family trip together after 15 years. Dad’s mornings begin with Evaarah – playing with her, feeding her. In the evening, all of us get together at home with her. It’s all about her.”

Ask Ahan which films of his father’s he would want to be a part of, and he says, "I’d love to be a part of Hera Pheri, I love that franchise. Fortunately, I am part of Border 2, which was one of dad’s films that I have always been inspired by."

In October, the Bombay High Court granted Suniel Shetty interim relief against the unauthorized use of his image and likeness, particularly through AI-generated deepfakes and impersonations. The landmark order not only directs platforms to remove infringing content but also extends “John Doe” protection to cover his family, setting a precedent for personality rights in the digital age. Reacting to the verdict, Suniel says this isn’t just about him — it’s about responsibility.

“It is just a reminder to those idiots that don't do anything without checking on stuff. It's not about being the first one to break the news. The news has to be right, otherwise it's abuse,” he says bluntly, adding, “Good journalism also gets its reach. I blog myself, and I feel every article that comes from the bottom of my heart is something that reaches the maximum amount of people.”

The actor explains that the intent behind his petition was never to control the narrative, but to protect what’s personal. “I want to protect my family. I'm not going to get after anybody and everybody who's going to talk about us, write about us, or use our pictures. You can always use pictures by asking — so it’s copyrighted. Tomorrow, I don't want somebody to use my image and make a business out of it,” he adds.

“So that’s just a reminder to everybody — there is a historical judgement that has been given. Be cautious. If you are right, I don't have a problem with anything. But if you're going to run me down just because you feel you have the pen in your hand, it's not going to work.”'All of us are just trying to remind people that we are humans too

Suniel adds, “A lot of innocent people in the country, believe that it is true. And nobody is there if you explain things to them. So, I think all of us are just trying to remind people that we are humans too. See the human side of us. We have family, we get hurt, we bleed, we have tears. We have our good days. We have our bad days. So just treat us like that.”

Suniel insists he has no issue with imitation done in good spirit. Earlier this year, a video went viral of the Border actor where he was unpleased by a mimicry artist mimicking him on stage in Jaipur.

“I don’t have a problem with people mimicking me. I have a lot of people who’ve grown and who are stars today, mimicking me — and I’m very close to them. But mockery is not what I expect. When I was in Jaipur and if somebody had done an Anjali dialogue, I’d still be okay with that. But when you talk about Dharti, and you talk about Ma, and you’re talking about my country and making a mockery of that, I’m not going to allow you to do that. Because this is playing somewhere else in some other part of the world where people don’t like us and are saying, ‘Oh, this is how their country is.’ You have no right — because I played a real hero in that. I’m not playing a character out of imagination.”” he says firmly.

He adds, “That’s why I was upset and I said what I did on stage. I’m someone who’s open about anything and everything that happens in my life. I’ve been as honest as I can be.”

After more than three decades in showbiz, Suniel Shetty is enjoying a second wind — on-screen success on one side and a brand-new role as a grandfather on the other. His career is soaring, his home is fuller, and life, he admits, has never felt richer. When his daughter Athiya married cricketer K L Rahul, he gained not just a son-in-law but “another son” alongside Ahan. Yet, fatherhood — and now grandfatherhood — comes with its own share of worries.

Earlier, he worried about Athiya and Ahan; now it is about Rahul getting trolled — especially after India’s disappointing loss to South Africa in the recent Test series. Rahul has now been chosen to lead India in the ODI series against South Africa.

“Initially I used to get deeply hurt, perhaps more than my children. They would tell me to remain calm and not feel bad. Today, I have realised it is all a part of a celebrity’s life, so it doesn’t affect me as much anymore,” shares Suniel, admitting that he still does not watch his son-in-law play. “There is too much stress involved.”

Though films and cricket usually dominate the public perception of their lives, at home the conversation rarely touches either. “We influence billions of people; [it is] a blessed position, hence important for us to behave right. Rahul is calm, respectful, and all about empathy, he adds strength to [the family]. Ahan and he are best friends [before being] brothers. His influence is stronger on them,” he says.

Becoming a grandfather to eight-month-old Evaara — born to Rahul and Athiya in March this year — has been “ten times more blissful”. He is ready to turn into a camel, horse, sheep, or even a fish for the little one. “There is nothing else that I want to do but be around her. I am willing to do everything for Evaara. She has a bit of Rahul, Ahan, and Athiya in her. Evaara has a birthday celebration every month on the 24th with cake and everything,” Suniel gushes.

Suniel Shetty is thrilled that his son Ahan has taken the mantle from him by featuring in ‘Border 2’, and “has finally found his mojo”. “It is the most beautiful feeling for me. Ahan is confident; I see absolute joy and pleasure on his face. Success and failure come, but to see that happiness on his face as a father is a different joy. It’s the only thing that I have ever wanted,” he says, beaming with pride.

Suniel Shetty reflects on how much Bollywood has changed over the years, the challenges faced by young actors like his son Ahan Shetty and also weighs in on the controversy around Diljit Dosanjh’s casting in Border 2. Excerpts:

Border 2 faced a setback during the shoot when there was a call to ban Diljit Dosanjh for supporting the release of his movie, Sardaar Ji 3 (outside of India), which featured Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, months after the Pahalgam terror attack. However, following producer Bhushan Kumar’s intervention, the ban was lifted, allowing him to continue with the film.

Talking about it, Suniel says, “When this happened, I thought that there is a world that doesn’t know anything about cinema and is wanting to bring it down. Someone like Virat Kohli, who has served the country as a cricketer, if he can be trolled, nobody will be spared.”

Suniel adds, “The virtual world is feeding us so much that we have forgotten to differentiate. We don’t realise it is creating a perception, and what is perception? What the eye sees, it believes; what the mind believes, it sees. So, where do you belong is the question. For me, it varies from situation to situation. Diljit is a superstar, he has put India on the world map when it comes to music. He has created hysteria for Indian musicians and artistes. We should be celebrating him and not pulling him down. If a child has made a mistake, will you punish him or help him overcome it? Border 2 is a film for the country.”

Talking about how the online world impacts young actors, he says, “It’s tougher now. Today, young actors don’t have to deal with the media, they have to deal with trolls. These are people who don’t know why they are criticizing the actors and films. This virtual world is scary. Otherwise, when it comes to movies, there are great opportunities as many platforms are making content in various forms.”

Suniel, who was last seen in Kesari Veer, points out how digitization is reshaping the business of cinema. “Earlier, makers made films, but today, excel sheets are making movies. When a film released on Friday, the producer would be stressed and think, ‘Kya weekend ke baad picture giregi? Kya Monday ko picture ko khada karna padega? Picture kahan thandi chal rahi hai? Kahan poster lagane hain?’ Today, when the film releases on Friday aur jahan Saturday-Sunday ko films ko chalana hai, film corporates ko chhutti hai. Middleman ko nikala hai, technology has taken over. Online sab ho raha hai, but chhote centres ka kya? The personal touch has gone.”

Disruptions have settled, and the chatter and rumours have ended with the good news that all is well with the cast of Hera Pheri 3 — Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty. Of course, the happiest are the fans, who’ve been over the moon knowing that Rawal is back in the mix and director Priyadarshan has returned to the writer’s room to pen the script for the third instalment. While Shetty doesn’t want to jinx it by talking too much about the project that is closest to his heart, it’s clear he played a major role in sorting out the miscommunication between everyone.

However, Shetty doesn’t wish to take any credit for bringing the two close friends back together. “The patch-up happened because of the respect Paresh and Akshay have for each other,” he says. With Kumar — who also serves as the producer — suing Rawal for Rs 25 crore, and the latter returning the signing amount along with interest, many believed it was the end of the road for the trio and the third instalment of the franchise.

Shetty advised his two co-stars, “Baat karlo ek doosre se. Don’t let the world divide you.” That’s all it took. “Paresh never criticized Akshay. And when a journalist called Paresh ‘foolish’, Akshay rebuked the reporter saying he is a friend. That day we all realized that these two friends loved each other and would not let anybody get in between them,” added Shetty.

With Hera Pheri 3 back on track, Shetty has trained his focus on the second season of the action thriller Hunter. Directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra, the new edition aims to raise both the emotional and action quotient of the series. The trailer suggests the actor will be racing against time to save his kidnapped daughter. Shetty tells mid-day that the audience is in for a surprise this season.

“The emotional quotient is much higher this time. A more coming-of-age for ACP Vikram Sinha [his character]. We have taken everything several notches higher. We have gone international and also upped the action. Vikram wants his family back, he realises nothing matters more than his people. This season is more sensible, emotional, [and about] what values mean to us/what matters more. Family ties and values are also what I am about. The old classics [songs] are back in this,” explains the actor.

The arrival of Athiya Shetty's baby girl, Evaarah, has brought immense joy to the Shetty household, with Suniel Shetty wholeheartedly embracing his new role as a grandfather. The actor's eyes light up as he talks about the little bundle of joy, for the first time with us. "That's all Mana (Shetty, wife) and I were looking for. It is the best feeling in the world." he says.

As he settles into his new role, Suniel shares his thoughts on grandfatherhood. "It is a feeling of bliss. There couldn’t be a better or a bigger feeling than this. They always say, ‘Mul se sut pyaara (interest is far, far more exciting when you receive it compared to the capital).”

With his schedule now revolving around his grandchild, Suniel, who was recently seen in Nadaaniyan, talks about managing his time with the baby. "Life is not hectic. That's the way my life was always. I work and I come back home, and I do that with a lot more excitement now. I look forward to coming back home and spending time with Mana and the baby. The biggest excitement in my life now is that child. And now I want to do everything with my granddaughter that I probably missed out on with Athiya and my son Ahan because I was constantly working. I was on call 24X7 with my work. Of course, I manage my time to the best of my ability. But today I need to do more. Evaarah is Athiya 2.0 for me."

On the work front, Suniel is currently shooting for the third instalment of Hera Pheri. Ask him how it feels to reunite with Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal, and he says, “The beauty of that is that we never felt that it’s been 25 years. Shooting for it didn’t feel that 25 years have gone by. It's just that we are looking different and now we have different get ups, but otherwise, we're the same. Everybody is the same, right from the producer to the director. We are just going to miss Om Puri dearly. He was one of the pillars of Hera Pheri 1.”

The actor who reprises his role of Shyaam in the movie, doesn’t reveal much about the plot, but he adds, “Even when we were shooting, it didn’t seem like we were playing a character. Nobody else can play those characters.”

There were rumours of Kartik Aaryan stepping into Akshay’s shoes for the sequel. Bring that up and Suniel says, “Whoever else was coming in was never supposed to replace anybody. He was coming as a new character, but now the makers have gone back to the old script and it is Hera Pheri 10 times more fun”.

Wellness is far cheaper than illness – is a mantra that guides actor Suniel Shetty’s lifestyle. So, when the 63-year-old, one of the fittest actors in the industry right now, shows up looking like a lean mean machine, it’s no surprise. More (muscle) power to SS, who turned granddad recently (daughter Athiya and cricketer K L Rahul welcomed their baby girl on March 24). On World Health Day today, we talk to Suniel about his approach to health and fitness.

For Suniel, his health is his biggest pride. “Wherever I go, people come up to me and say, ‘Sir, at this age, you’re so fit. You’re so inspiring’. That’s all I want to hear. When you hear that, you get inspired to do even better,” says the actor and adds, “When you are getting older, you realise that being healthy, fit and being able to do things that other people your age can’t do or can’t even think of doing…it’s a blessing.”

Suniel says, “I’m constantly pushing the limits and putting it out there, so that young kids can go back home and tell their parents to look at how fit Suniel uncle is. It’s not to show off who I am or how good I am, but just to inspire my generation and the younger generation to believe that there’s no replacement for good health.”

In an era where chiselled physiques are a rage, and youngsters are often desperate to flaunt the so-called perfect body, Suniel emphasizes that genuine good health goes far beyond the superficial appeal of a six-pack.

“Everybody is not blessed with great abs. Everybody is not blessed with a lot of money that they can buy supplements or have trainers who can push you. A lot of kids are doing anabolic steroids and that’s an absolute no, because over a period it will show on their body. I’m 60 plus and the only reason I train my abs is to make sure that I walk straight, I don’t hunch, and I don’t drag my feet. Tomorrow I’ll be able to play with my grandchild without having to take a break every two seconds. The child’s energy is going to be different, so my fitness will go a long way,” he explains.

Good health encompasses not only physical well-being, but also mental and emotional wellness. “I’m mentally very strong,” the Hera Pheri actor admits.

Talking about how he focuses on his mental health, he says, “I’m obsessed with nature. I talk to my plants. I do my pranayama at least twice a week. I breathe right. I make sure that I eat right. People should eat at the right time. By delaying your meals, you end up snacking. Understand what suits your body. Food takes care of 80% of your fitness physically and mentally. As the Dalai Lama once said, ‘Happiness is the highest form of health’. I believe in that.’”

Solid support from friends and family is what helped actor Suniel Shetty to stay mentally strong and fit. At a recent event - the launch of the mental health app Lets Get Happi - the actor spoke about his tryst with mental health. “For us, it is a lot about success, failure, and those Fridays. Not just because your film didn’t do well, but people judge you, call you a failure, and say, ‘Arrey woh Suniel Shetty… uski picture nahi chali, woh bakwas hai’. That disturbs you. But when you have a family to go back to, who isn’t bothered about that, then you are fortunate,” he shared.

Suniel further explained that with age and maturity, he realized that Fridays shouldn’t drive his wheels of happiness. “I thought, is this Friday going to dictate how I am feeling? Happy when my Friday is good and sad when it isn’t? Happiness has nothing to do with financial success. It is about what you like doing. I have noted down every aspect of my family that makes me happy,” he shared.

The Dhadkan actor, who has always been known for his macho image on screen, admits that he feels vulnerable very often, especially when it comes to family and tragic situations. “I cry very easily. We were always told men shouldn’t cry, and people would say, ‘Ladki jaise kya rota hai.’ I feel that ladki jaise royega tab jaake mard banega. When you express yourself, people reach out to you,” he shares.

As we speak about vulnerability, he opens up about the darkest phase of his life. “I felt lonely when my dad was unwell and paralyzed. Suddenly, I started believing I hadn’t spent enough time with him. That’s when I was very low because I knew I was losing him. However, in those last days, I spent the most beautiful moments with him. The day he passed away, despite the grief, I felt a positive energy within me. He brought that change. From a zero career to being alive and back to being relevant, it’s someone like him who could do it. Also, if you disappear for seven-eight years, people forget you,” he shares.

There has been a lot of excitement around the next instalment of the comedy classic Hera Pheri, especially after the actors (Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty) were spotted shooting for a promotional video for the upcoming film. Suniel Shetty, who is super excited to reunite with the team, reassuring the fans of the classic, says, “We don’t want the legendary Hera Pheri to be impacted by any mistakes we make in the future.”

The actor, who is looking his fittest best, in a chat with us also talks about how martial arts helped him win a place in showbiz, his faith in the team of the cult comedy, and of course, his newest role in life – that of a father-in-law. Excerpts...

When we all got together for the shoot, it didn’t feel like so many years have gone by. It’s an amazing feeling to have Akki (Akshay Kumar) back in the franchise.

For me, Hera Pheri will always be about Babu bhaiya (Paresh Rawal), Raju (Akshay) and Shyam (Suniel) in that order, and it works best in that order. There have been a lot of speculations, but we are all aware of what the script is. The new Hera Pheri is going to be emotional and funny, which was also the beauty of the first film. It had very strong emotions of the common man and their struggles. I strongly believe that the new Hera Pheri will work only if the emotions are right.

I have always said that Kartik Aaryan was never taking over Akshay’s role in the film. Kartik is the new kid on the block who is extraordinary, but he cannot replace Akshay Kumar. Raju will always remain Raju, and the audience won’t accept a replacement for him. It (Kartik’s) was a new character, and now who’s playing that part or what happens to that character… I am clueless about it. Meanwhile, Akki wanted to (be a part of the franchise). Whatever transpired between the producer and him, Akki knows, but whenever I had spoken to Akki in the past, I had always told him that this film should be our top priority. He had also agreed saying, ‘Yes, this is a film we should work on’.

About the director, as long as Farhad is committed to the script, I don’t think there is a problem at all. Today, there is more than one director associated with this film and I say that because the actors are as involved in the project (as the director). None of us are going to make a fool of ourselves with this film. After all, we don’t want the legendary Hera Pheri to be impacted by any mistakes we make in the future. Even if it’s not as good but is remotely close to the original, and we can make a sensible film, we are happy. All I can say for now is that Farhad has done a brilliant job with the writing of the film. We should start rolling mostly in the second half of the year.

With Sanjay Dutt on board, the film will be a laugh riot, because Sanju’s sense of comedy is unbelievable. His comic timing and body language will add ek aur chaand to this project. He will take this to another level. We share a fantastic relationship and that will transpire on screen, too.

Mixed Martial Arts is the highest paid sport in the world. In India it took off late, but it has taken over boxing today. Through the show I could see talent coming in from remote places, where they probably didn’t have proper infrastructure and training, yet,some of them could have the ability to represent India soon in the world of MMA. As far as I am concerned, I got into films because of my martial arts background. I practiced kickboxing, and so my action came from there. When I began as an actor, people said that I was only an action star, and they called me wooden. It was action that gave me the opportunity to learn the rest of the craft, so I owe it all to action. My martial arts background has allowed me to stay fit and fight the way I do even at this age.

I don’t know what the role of a father-in-law is. The only role I know is that of a father. I am blessed to have a son like Rahul. He has blended beautifully with our family, because he is a simple guy and that is exactly how we are.

Well, Athiya always wanted something intimate. There were hardly 70-80 people attending the wedding. It was very satisfying as we could attend to all our guests personally. I thought a lot of people would be upset (for not being invited), but instead, they appreciated it. Nothing has changed between Athiya and me as far as our equation is concerned. Earlier, it would be five phone calls a day, but today, gudiya and I make 15 phone calls to each other. Now, we don’t take things for granted and look forward to spending time with each other.

“I cannot stop it, but my aim is to retard the ageing process,” says Suniel Shetty, whose latest outing, Dharavi Bank, is a testimony of sorts to his efforts. To play the part of a 63-year-old man in the series, Shetty, 62, had to don prosthetics to look aged; older than his actual age.

Shetty’s name has been associated with physical fitness since the onset of his career, but his command over all aspects of his professional life — films and business — appears to be more pronounced in the last few years. He admits that the success in all spheres of his life traces back to his fitness routine.

“I am who I am, due to fitness, and it is because of this that I have stayed relevant even at this age, despite not acting for 10 years. The media kept me alive. While I may not be active on other social media platforms, I am active on LinkedIn, because that is a reflection of me,” says the actor, who has acquired an enormous fan following on the platform for his deftly penned posts that speak of family, films, entrepreneurship, and success. 

The actor’s knowledge in the sphere of fitness isn’t restricted to his understanding of himself alone. He has studied movement patterns and techniques that have worked well for athletes, body-builders, and the layman.

“Strength, stretch, callisthenics and functional routines are what I practice to slow down the ageing process. The first signs of ageing is the dragging of feet in individuals. So, balance work, hip movements, and leg raises are what I practice. You’ll notice that ageing people have drooping shoulders and hunched backs. To avoid it, I train my back [intensely], and adopt back exercises in my warm-up and cool-down routines. Remember that a person in his 60s wasn’t designed to look a certain way. People choose to believe that they have aged. But you need to understand what is needed, and if you don’t understand it, ask the experts. I consult a lot of them.”

Shetty adheres to the principle of carbohydrate recycling. On the days that he has a physically active routine, he ups his carb-intake. When his days are not dominated by too many activities, he ups his gym session, and reduces his carb-intake. “I have a lot of water, and greens, which keep my gut in good health. I also keep sufficient gaps between my meals, which helps me digest food better. Everything that I eat is quantified. I give a defined amount of food to my chef [for my consumption], including the quantity of oil and salt. The maximum amount of sugar that I eat is 15 grams. One can fill their individual boxes with the required proportion of food, and stick to it. It’s as simple as that.” Not one to source exotic groceries, he says the abundant options available in India are his staple.

The actor focuses on lifting lighter weights. His 45-minute exercise bouts aim to help in body-sculpting instead of building muscle size. “I am not embarrassed to lift 30 kilos if the person next to me lifts 200. This is what works for me. I want to be leaner, and my waist to be smaller so that clothes look good on me. Today, I do half [of the exercises] that I would when I was [younger], but I am looking fitter. Only when you are in the right mental space can you train well, and enjoy it. Yoga helps me with that.”

Actor Suniel Shetty is returning to the screen in a full-fledged role in an upcoming OTT series Dharavi Bank, which will also mark his web debut. However, the question that arises is, why has his work in Hindi films been far and few in the last five to six years?

Turns out, the actor was on sabbatical since 2017, after the death of his father, Veerapa Shetty. He tells us, “I didn’t work for three to four years. I had taken a long sabbatical, and after that came the pandemic. I did try my hand at films down South, that was me testing the waters. I was nervous, whether I had forgotten acting. It felt like going to school again.”

He describes that phase of his life as “tough times”. “Because of the kind of work I had done before, something was not appreciated... I didn’t know where I stood, as far as the audience goes. But now, I’ve realised that it’s about what our last outing was. If you deliver good content, they love you. If you do not, they forget you easily,” he says.

Shetty, 61, has been in the industry for several years now, during which he has seen his share of highs and lows. Isn’t he already used to the unpredictability? “Kind of,” he says, adding, “But, I can’t say I know all about it or I have mastered it. You see the uncertainty even now. We all believe we are doing great work, but what eventually comes on celluloid is what it is.”

Shetty admits that he had made some wrong choices, which led to his decision of taking a break. “I chose wrong films, took up bad roles... You blank out at that stage. But, after my father died and the pandemic [happened], it dawned on me that I know my job, I just made wrong choices,” he says, adding that even when it came to choosing his web project, he put a lot of thought into it:

“I was sent the synopsis. The first thing I said was, I will not play a cop. They said, ‘No, we want you to play another role’. [Only] then I agreed.”

Actor Ahan Shetty recently made his acting debut with Tadap. His action hero avatar has received a thumbs up from the film fraternity. And, his father, actor Suniel Shetty, is beaming with pride: “I never realised he’s such a thinking actor. You always feel ghar ki murgi dal barabar. As a father, we always try correcting them because you feel you know more. When I saw my boy on the big screen, it hit me that [even] after doing 120 films, I haven’t been able to deliver what he has.”

Suniel marked his acting debut 29 years ago with Balwaan (1992), an actioner. “Ahan and I making our debuts with actioners is a coincidence,” he says. But the 60-year-old adds it was a call that his son had to take to start his career with a deglamorised role.

“There are a lot of negatives that he began with. He came as an angry character, with a face that is distorted and not pretty all the time. He didn’t shave, had under-eye circles, burnt lips and messed up hair. But his gamble has paid. His confidence and self-belief has worked wonders for him,” shares Suniel.

The senior actor’s Malayalam film, Marakkar: Lion Of The Arabian Sea, hit the screens a day before Tadap’s release. Talking about how a box-office clash with his son upset him, he says, “I wasn’t aware that they are releasing the film. Though I wished well for the film, I knew where my priorities were. It was my son’s debut. You see my posts on social media… they were only about Ahan. As a father, I don’t think I was wrong. My priority was father Suniel Shetty and not actor Suniel Shetty.”

At the end of the interview, this writer whips out her phone to message a friend: If this is what 60 can look like, we needn’t be afraid.

Camel cargos, white tee, and a chic man bun, actor Suniel Shetty is on time, ready to handshake hello at Bandra’s Mehboob Studio. His generation remembers him as the soft-spoken action star, having found fame with movies like Mohra, and later as the Supandi-style funny man in Hera Pheri, and the dark lover to Shilpa Shetty in Dhadkan. These days he is experiencing an excitement not very different from those days. Ahan Shetty, 25, debuts in Bollywood this Friday with Milan Luthria-directed Tadap. Produced by Sajid Nadaidwala, it stars Tara Sutaria opposite him in a love-gone-sour tale.

 

Ahan takes a seat beside his father, the Tulu genes shining bright. Ebony haired, he is strapping but smiles readily; he looks sure of himself without being cocky. Together, they make the unlikely celebrity dad and unusual star kid. In a freewheeling interview, their first together, they speak of living the “un-Bollywood life”.

Suniel Shetty: I don’t think there is that massive a change. But yes, numbers have become more important. We used to have a ‘house-full’ board back then, now box office returns are important. There is a lot more transparency. The kids [making their debut] are more prepared, and this is not true of just my son, but for all young people. It took me 25 films to achieve the quality of work they are putting out in their first movie. I ask Ahan, ‘How do you guys do it?’ I think we came in as professionals to become stars, they have come to become actors, and deliver to the expectations of the audience. That’s what makes it so exciting.

Ahan Shetty: I think there is more visibility because my father is an actor, and I have met directors and producers in an informal setting [because of him]. I don’t want to say it’s harder [if you are a star kid]. It’s hard. Period. There is [extra] pressure. They do want to see me do the same thing he did. But I cannot let it get to me. You lose your sense of direction, and start listening to other people. You have to keep your head down, and keep the noise away.  

AS: Absolutely. Athiya and I went to the American School, so it didn’t matter who my father or mother was. They would come for the football games and every other school event. Dad was extra supportive; he’d walk down to the field, and I had to tell him, “calm down”. Despite a long career in the industry, he hasn’t been part of Bollywood in a sense. He wanted us to stay away from the limelight.

SS: The intention of putting them in the American School was not to prove that we are a cut above the others, but to make it clear that nobody there cares about who you are. You miss PTA, you are on the watch list. I had to know what was happening in my son’s life. I went to school like any other parent would. That’s in my lineage. We are simple. Everyone [in the family] was interested in art and architecture... normal people. There is a reason why he has grown into who he is.

AS: Dad took us to the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and school was on at the time. They allowed me to go, but after asking me to write a report on my experiences.

SS: We were always their friends. And we befriended Athiya before Ahan. There was no distinction. She was busy looking at schools, and then she said she wanted to be an actor, and it took me five minutes to tell her, then follow that dream. Even with Ahan... [I told him] don’t do what you don’t want to. My dream was to play for the country; his inclination was towards art and drama. He took up drama as a major in high school, and travelled with his drama teacher all over the world.

AS: No. This is the only plan. If I had an alternative, I wouldn’t be as committed or dedicated.

AS: Definitely. I am happy that my first film is going to a theatrical release, but I am totally open to acting in a web series. It gave a lot of people work during the last few years. I want to do it all; it’s all only about the performance.

AS: It was great to play a character who displays contrasting personalities. It was almost like a double role. When I challenge myself, I do well. I was very thankful to Milan and Sajid for that.

SS: I am an extremely emotional person, and it hasn’t sunk in [that he’s making his debut]. It’s not a typical star son launch—there is no dancing, beautiful clothes or martial arts. He plays a normal guy. My first cheque came from Sajid Nadiadwala, and three decades later, he has given my son his first cheque. And then there is Milan. Ahan needed a guru, and Milan is that. I watched the movie and asked Ahan, “Are you uncomfortable with romance?”, and he said “No, dad. This boy is a small town guy. He has never touched a girl.” I knew then that he had got into character.

AS: He told me never fear Fridays. Don’t be scared. You learn from failure. When I decided to be an actor, he told me if you can’t be known as a good actor, be known as a good human being. Just be who you are. 

SS: Honestly, I think that kids watch and learn. It’s about how I have led my life, respected my directors, producers, or the light men and spot boys. People have always told me, oh this one is so big, that one is so big! I say, if you really want to know who is big, ask the fighter boy who just got hurt: who is the one who asked him if he is fine? In the past, actors like us interacted with our unions; that’s not the case anymore. That’s why when someone is banging and hammering you, no one stands up for you. They did for Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. When they were going through hell, people stood up. 

OTT screening platforms were like oxygen for the industry in the last two years. But the father [of entertainment] is cinema. We shouldn’t take it for granted, and we need to deliver good content consistently.

With the second wave of Coronavirus taking a deadly turn, it is all about saving lives. And Suniel Shetty feels politicians are not doing enough and that should be remembered while casting our votes, next time. “Every elected politician is thinking of the coming five years and ways to make money, but not about giving back to the system,” says Shetty, who has launched an initiative to provide free oxygen concentrators to Coronavirus-positive patients. He angrily adds, “We are the ones who elected them. Today, they are making us run for beds, and oxygen.”

“Now, let’s vote for a hardworking human being, who is making a difference. He could be across any political party,” he shares.

Accepting that the times are tough, the actor says it is important to stick together as a family.

Drawing a comparison between the pandemic situation last year and now, Shetty explains, “Back then, it was about hunger, jobs and salaries. This time, it is about life”. The thing that is still snuffing out lives at a fast pace is, the lack of oxygen.

On April 28, he announced his initiative to provide free oxygen concentrators on social media. “A lot of people have also been calling from places other than Mumbai and Bengaluru. Hopefully, we can start something in Hyderabad soon,” says the actor, who admires the unbelievable power of social media in these trying times.

He goes on to add, “I’m calling people in Delhi asking for help. The person receiving help thinks Suneil Shetty made the call. In reality, the person I called is actually helping out”.

And Shetty doesn’t want to take credit. “Celebrity efforts are written about all the time, but honestly, I have not even done 0.1 per cent of what even a basic worker is doing,” he signs off.