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Suniel Shetty interview: ‘Time spent with Rajinikanth changed me as a person’

Suniel Shetty interview: ‘Time spent with Rajinikanth changed me as a person’

Sunil Shetty is completely fit even at the age of 62.

As the Bollywood star confidently steps into GM Modular’s new showroom at Anna Salai in Chennai, selfie-obsessed fans chase him. It is clear that this enthusiasm is nothing new for him. If he wasn’t in front of the camera, he would probably have become one of India’s leading sportspersons, which can be gauged by reading his social media bio, which reads: ‘Dil se Khiladi, Kala se Actor…’

“Well, I am one of the millions of kids in India who dream of playing cricket for the country. I had a good go at it, but maybe I wasn’t that good. When I watch cricket on TV, I feel like I am there playing,” he says.

Interestingly, his daughter Athiya Shetty is married to cricketer KL Rahul, with whom Sunil shares a good friendship. “He is like my son,” says Sunil with a smile.

Suniel Shetty | Photo Credit: S Siva Raj

chennai link

In the nineties, when the Khans took over Hindi cinema, Suniel Shetty was still one of the highest-paid actors and was well-known for his presence in action films. Apart from hits and misses, Bollywood taught him to live in the present.

“35 years in the film industry is a very long time. It is a privilege to be a part of this industry. Where else do you get so much love and affection? For example, in Chennai, successful people in sports, films and politics are celebrated like no other place. A young Dhoni comes from Ranchi and becomes Tamil Nadu’s ‘Thala’… I don’t see any other state in India that gives so much love and belief to an individual,” he says.

Sunil has a special bond with Chennai; one of his favourite Bollywood movies is Foul play (2000) directed by Priyadarshan was shot here. A year later, he shot a Tamil film (12b)Then, after twenty years, he returned to Tamil cinema and played the antagonist in a Rajinikanth film. Court(2020), directed by AR Murugadoss.

Suniel Shetty, Rajinikanth and AR Murugadoss during the trailer launch of 'Darbar'

Suniel Shetty, Rajinikanth and AR Murugadoss at the trailer launch of ‘Darbar’ | Photo Credit: AFP

“I never wanted to do a negative role, but I made an exception Court Because I was with Rajinikanth in it. The time spent with Rajinikanth changed me as a person. He would talk to everyone on the set, was very simple and humble and yet would transform into an actor in front of the camera. The moment he gets ready with makeup, it is a different world. Even though he has achieved so much, he remains the same. I have learnt a lot for my life too from those beautiful moments.”

all about family

A big part of Suniel Shetty’s success is a result of his fitness, which he flaunts proudly. “At school I played sports because I was fit. When I got into the business, I ran my father’s bar and being fit helped there too. Even the cops would call me by respect because of my physique and personality. They wanted to know how to get rid of their belly! I made friends easily because of my fitness and discipline,” says Suniel, who also has a background in martial arts.

Sunil urges everyone to take fitness seriously. “You need to believe that change can happen. You need to make time for yourself. I wasn’t born an actor. When I was in my father’s business, I used to work a lot every day, but still made some time for training. I believe that is what has given me the lifestyle I have today.”

He is still busy and relevant today; Sunil currently has web-series sequels in the pipeline Shikari: It won’t break, it won’t break And Dharavi BankIn addition Welcome to the jungle and a new version of it Foul play lined up. “I think I am my own competition. A lot of people compare me to contemporaries who are much more popular; I don’t look at the two people who are there but at the 200 people who have passed and feel blessed. I still believe in giving my best. The happiest thing, of course, is a married daughter, a beautiful son who has come into the family. My beautiful family… for me, that is my greatest happiness.”

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