Latest news with #Balwaan
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'I'd been doing the same c**p': Suniel Shetty says he felt the need to reinvent his career, became choosy
He has been around for over 30 years, and Suniel Shetty is still kicking butt. From his early days in hits like Balwaan and Vinashak, he established himself as an action star, one of the OGs. And today, at 63, he continues to be one. His newest outing, the second season of his web series Hunter, sees him indulge in some heavy-duty fight scenes. In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, the veteran star opens up on doing action in his 60s, how cinema has changed, and his own understanding of it as well. Suniel Shetty is starring in action series Hunter, performing his own stunts at age 63. On action films Suniel says that he has evolved as an action hero, understanding the nuances behind it now. "It's not just about the energy and power behind the action, but the presence of mind and understanding the situation. You have to make the action look better, making sure the action is backed with a solid situation," he says. On reinventing himself The actor, who has been active in Hindi cinema for 33 years, said he saw a real change in his approach after the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains, 'During the pandemic, I also had a 4-5 year break from my career. I watched so much that I became the end user. I started understanding cinema from the viewer's perspective. Then, I analysed my own actions and realised, 'I have been doing the same crap.' I decided to change that. It's about reinventing yourself after understanding what your negatives are.' But does that looking back also fill him with regret, when he sees work that was not up to the mark? The simple answer is no. The complex one, is slightly more detailed. Suniel explains, 'There are a lot of films I wouldn't do today, many roles I wouldn't do now. Samajh bhi nahi thi. Kabhi kabhi directors me capability nahi thi execute karne me un kahaniyon ko (I lacked the sense, and often directors lacked the capability to execute those stories). At the same time, I have done so many films and one has managed to survive, toh aage jo karenge soch-samajh ke karenge (now I do stuff after careful consideration). That's why I am very choosy with whatever little I get.' Suniel Shetty admits today he wouldn't do many films he did early in his career. On young action stars In Hunter season 2, Suniel Shetty goes up against Jackie Shroff, another star in his 60s. A couple of years ago, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan raised the roof with their joint action sequences in Pathaan and Tiger 3. Both were 57 then. These shows and films have led to a notion in the audience that the younger stars are just not 'good enough' to replace the OG action stars. Suniel Shetty does not agree. "The younger writers are not writing such scripts," he says, adding, "There are directors today; there were makers then. A maker is in love with his characters. If a Raj Kapoor made a film, he did it with that love. Manmohan Desai could convince you that Amar, Akbar, and Anthony can donate blood to their mother together. If you have scripts and characters that are convincing, then the audience accepts themou accept an Amitabh Bachchan saying 'main pheke hue paise nahi uthaata' and also an Allu Arjun saying 'main jhukega nahi'. The dialogue is the same, but the presentation is different. There are many young actors who are very good with their performances and can be as good in action. But you need to give them those characters." Hunter season 2 is currently streaming on Amazon MXPlayer.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Suniel Shetty Says Women Should Know How To Raise Kids: "Husband Career Banayega Toh..."
Suniel Shetty wears many hats – actor, producer, father and husband. The actor, who has been married to Mana Shetty for over three decades, recently opened up about how lack of patience is affecting modern-day marriages. The veteran actor shared his thoughts on changing family dynamics. In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Suniel Shetty said, ' Aaj kal bachon mein patience hai hi nahi. Shaadi kuch time ke baad ek samjhauta hota hai, where you have to understand each other, live for each other. [Kids these days have no patience. Marriage, after a while, becomes a compromise, where you have to understand each other and live for one another.] He added, ' Phir ek bacha aata hai, aur patni ko yeh jaan na zaruri hai ki husband career banayega toh bache ko main dekh rahi hoon. Husband, of course, saath mein dekhega. Par aaj kal sab cheezon mein pressure bohot ho gaya hai. [Then a child comes into the picture, and the wife needs to understand that if the husband is building his career, she will need to take care of the child. Of course, the husband will also be involved. But these days, there is just too much pressure in everything.]" Suniel Shetty also pointed out how the digital world is filled with unsolicited advice. 'Everyone wants to give advice today. The virtual world tells you how to be a mother, how to be a father, what to eat, and what to do. I believe learning through experience is better, from your grandmother, mother, sisters, and in-laws. So keep what works for you and leave the rest. But a lot has changed. Now, people are getting divorced even before the wedding takes place," he said. Suniel Shetty and Mana Shetty got married back in 1991. Mana wasn't from the same community, and Suniel shared that his parents were not in favour of the match at first. But that did not stop him. In fact, around the time he signed his first film (Balwaan), he decided it was the right moment to get married. Many people told Suniel Shetty to wait – that getting married right at the start of his film career could affect his image or fan following. But the actor had made up his mind. Suniel and Mana Shetty are proud parents to two children – Athiya Shetty and Ahan Shetty. On the work front, Suniel Shetty was last seen in Kesari Veer with Vivek Oberoi and Sooraj Pancholi.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Suniel Shetty breaks silence on Ajay Devgn calling him and Akshay Kumar '2 doodhwale', reveals changing his fitness routine for granddaughter Evaarah
While Akshay Kumar is often hailed as Bollywood's poster boy for discipline, with his famously early nights, 5 a.m. workouts, and clean lifestyle, there's another actor who's just as consistent, if not more. He may maintain a low profile, but his commitment to health and routine is unwavering. That actor is none other than Suniel Shetty . Ahead of the release of his upcoming film Kesari Veer, Suniel appeared on The Lallantop's special segment Guest In The Newsroom, where he offered a glimpse into his personal lifestyle. 'I go to bed by 10 or 10:30 pm. You'll never find me awake after that,' he said, adding with a laugh, 'That's why Ajay Devgn jokes that there are two milkmen in the film industry—Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. We're the ones supplying milk early in the morning.' Why Suniel Shetty changed his fitness routine for his granddaughter Evaarah Talking about how age and priorities have shifted his fitness goals, the 62-year-old actor shared that he has changed the way he trains in the gym ever since becoming a grandfather. 'I've changed my training method for my granddaughter. Earlier, I used to do heavy weight training. Now I focus on mobility,' he explained. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo 'With age, problems like back pain and posture issues start to creep in. So I train in a way that prevents those issues—and lets me lift my granddaughter comfortably.' Evaarah is a Sanskrit name meaning "Gift of God". It was chosen by KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty as the name for their daughter, who was born on March 24, 2025. Suniel Shetty, Sooraj Pancholi Promote Film From Balwaan to Welcome to the Jungle: A quick look at his career Suniel Shetty made his film debut with Balwaan in 1992. However, he faced setbacks early in his career with two shelved films, Arzoo and Fau-lad. Arzoo, interestingly, had even completed over 60 days of shooting before being scrapped. He is currently gearing up for Hera Pheri 3 with Akshay Kumar, although the film faced unexpected turbulence when Paresh Rawal reportedly exited the project. Following the exit, Akshay reportedly sent a Rs 25 crore legal notice, triggering public statements from all sides. The fate of Hera Pheri 3 remains uncertain, but Suniel Shetty will soon be seen alongside Akshay in Welcome to the Jungle, the next installment in the Welcome franchise. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film also stars Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Paresh Rawal. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Critics called Suniel Shetty a ‘doorknob' after his debut film; was told to ‘sell idlis and vadas' at his family restaurant: ‘That business ran my house'
Despite having no prior connection to Bollywood, Suniel Shetty found his way into show business and eventually became a big star. Since his debut in director Deepak Anand's Balwaan (1992), where he starred alongside Divya Bharti, Suniel's career has seen both soaring highs and steep lows. Yet, even after three decades, he remains active in Bollywood and played notable roles in two films — Nadaaniyan and Kesari Veer — in 2025 alone. However, the actor's journey in the industry has been far from easy. Suniel recently recalled the 'unfair' criticism he received for his performance in Balwaan. He shared that critics went so far as to call him a 'doorknob' and even suggested he return to working at his father's restaurant, selling idlis and vadas. Still, he emphasised that he has no shame in admitting his father's background in the restaurant business, proudly stating that it was how their family made a living. Also Read | 'Rekha was jealous, insecure about her height; entire crew laughed at her when she tried to take my role': Moushumi Chatterjee recalls rivalry 'They trashed me as a performer and labelled me a 'doorknob' in their reviews. Some even suggested I go sell idlis and vadas at our family restaurant. They treated selling idli-vadas as something derogatory. But that family business ran my house. In fact, it's because of that background that even today, I feel no shame in doing any kind of work. I am not embarrassed to do anything, particularly physical labour. I don't even think twice while opening a door for someone or saying 'thank you' or 'sorry'. It's because of that idli-vada upbringing that I am like this now,' he shared during a chat with The Lallantop. Last year, the Hera Pheri actor had opened up about how his father ran away from home in Mangalore at the age of nine, took up menial jobs, started his own restaurant and eventually rose through the ranks through sheer hard work. 'My dad ran away and came to Mumbai as a child. He didn't have a father, but he had three sisters. He found work in a South Indian restaurant at age nine, because that's the thing about our community, we support each other. His first job was cleaning tables. He was so little, he would have to make four rounds of the table just to clean all sides. He would sleep in a sack meant for rice,' he shared during a conversation with comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa on their podcast. He added, 'His boss bought three buildings, and dad was eventually asked to manage them. When the boss retired, dad bought all three buildings. Today, I still have all three buildings. And that's where our journey began.'
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Suniel Shetty talked about alleged rivalry with Akshay Kumar in the 90s: 'I don't decide who I want to pose with...'
After making his debut in the 1992 film 'Balwaan', was viewed as a potential rival to the then-successful . Rumors about their competition were common, with Rediff in 1997 suggesting that Suniel was unsettling Akshay's position. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Suniel later addressed these rumors in an interview with the website. Magazine Covers and Media Speculation Suniel and Akshay featured on magazine covers alongside and , respectively. While some interpreted this as a rivalry or competition, Suniel dismissed such notions, stating that there was no conflict or tension between them. Media-Created Rivalry Reported in Hindustan Times, Suniel clarified that the rivalry between him and Akshay was created by the media. He explained that the decision about whom to pose with for magazine covers is made by the magazines themselves, not by the actors. Suniel emphasized that there is no personal issue between him and Akshay, suggesting that the magazines have their own internal competition. For example, if one magazine features Akshay with Sushmita Sen, another might feature Suniel with Aishwarya Rai. He added that posing for photographs is simply part of their profession and is done in a professional spirit without any underlying conflict. Fans See Through the Hype When asked if people actually believed the rivalry narrative between him and Akshay, Suniel explained that fans are not easily fooled. He pointed out that magazines compete by sensationalizing stories on their covers to boost sales, but readers do not necessarily take those rumors seriously or believe the gossip. Long Standing Collaboration Since their early collaborations in the 1993 films 'Waqt Hamara Hai' and 'Pehchaan', Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty have frequently shared the screen. They gained further popularity with the 1994 blockbuster 'Mohra'. In 2000, the duo successfully shifted gears from action to comedy with 'Hera Pheri', alongside . Their partnership continued with movies like 'Dhadkan', 'Awara Paagal Deewana', and 'Deewane Huye Paagal'. Fans can soon catch them together again in the upcoming films 'Welcome to the Jungle' and 'Hera Pheri 3'.
