A popular Indian actor was born on 11th August 1961 in the Mulki region near Mangalore, which forms a part of the Indian state of
Karnataka. He is often related to another popular actress of the tinsel town.
Shilpa Shetty, but the fact remains to be negative although both belong to the same caste Bunt community. Sunil achieved recognition and fame in the 1990s with his daring stunts in his popular action movies. He is believed to be the macho man in Bollywood. Hailing from a family of restaurateurs with a string of business including restaurant hotels and clothing business to his name, Sunil Shetty is a rare hybrid of actor and businessman. But to his regret much later on in his professional life he found out that the two don`t mix easily. But it doesn`t matter to him that much. The fact that matter the most to him is, "I want to be liked as a person. It doesn`t matter if I am not loved, but being liked is important to me…"
Off the screen he has quite a happy man married to Mana and has two children named Atiya and Aahan. Sunil Shetty met his future wife, through, of all things, a shared passion
for motorcycles. For sometime in his acting career he was also rumored of an affair with another popular actress
Sonali Bendre. He comfortable claims during an interview, "My image is that of a family man both on and off screen". He is also a remarkable man in many aspects. He declared that he would retire from his profession of acting the day he feels that he has peaked. He wishes to do a lot more and feels that he is capable of doing much more than is expected out of him. But before that however the fact remains that he has to work with better directors in order to reach the summit. He feels that direction is not an easy task and it was purely on an emotional level that he has acted in most films, which have been directed by debutante directors. But now he feels that he needs to take care of his interests by working with only sensible directors. He says that his son prefers his action films but the other family members want to see him enacting characters in more socially relevant films. In the recent times he is also working on his dancing skills. When asked about his interest in dancing, he says, "I am more about style than steps". He also claims that he is graceful as a fighter because my honed instincts come into play here but in the case of dancing he is not good. The only improve that he has shown in his steps since the time of his debut is all because of his sheer determination. He also adds that his director needs to take the time and trouble to groom him in the matter of dancing but for the action scenes he does not need any rehearsals or retakes. In the recent times his efforts have born fruits, which is very much evident in the dancing sequences. In one of the interviews he also says that nowadays one must go to lengths in order to compete with the newcomers like
Hrithik Roshan and
Arjun Rampal who have entered the film industry after much training. He remarks," They look like they`ve been shooting for ten years when all they`ve done is one film. They are dangerous". But it is also remains a fact that if they do get the best of him, than Sunil would also has a multitude of opportunities to excel.
Besides his acting career he also caters to the press in return for articles that have helped him maintain a high profile inspite of his disastrous records in the box-office. He also makes full utilization of his celebrity status to draw patrons to his restaurant chains. Every Sunday he visits a restaurant called Mischief Dining Bar and meets the kids who come to see him. He considers it good for the business tool. His latest business venture is Popcorn Entertainment, which is believed to cater to the immense demands abroad for stage shows and concerts in which Bollywood actors will reenact the popular dance sequence from the films released in the recent past. The hype surrounding his business venture has been intense mainly because some of the performers share cold vibes with him. But this undertaking did not prove to be a financial success but Sunil is least worried about this matter. He cheerfully explains that he is the last person to spoil relations for money. Although the promoter has agreed to pay him back, he would not mind if doesn`t and would reflect the lost sum as losses incurred. His seriousness about his work is reflected in this remark, " For me work is worship".
Sunil Shetty has a number of films both hit and flops under his belt. The histrionics of his filmy career includes: Balwaan (1992), Hum Hain Bemisaal (1993), Pehchaan Dil Aa Gaya (1993), Waqt Humara Hai (1993), Dilwale (1994), Gopi Kishen (1994), Mohra (1994), Anth (1995), Gaddaar (1995), Raghuveer (1995), Suraksha (1995), Takkar (1995), Ek Tha
Raja (1996), Krishna (1996), Rakshak (1996), Sapoot (1996), Shastra (1996), Vishwashghat (1996), Bhai (1997), Border (1997), Judge Mujrim (1997), Prithvi (1997), Qahar (1997), Aakrosh (1998), Dhaal (1998), Humse Badkar Kaun (1998), Vinashak (1998), Bade Dilwale (1999), Hu Tu Tu (1999), Kala Samraiya (1999), Aaghaz (2000), Dhadkan (2000), Hera Pheri (2000), Jungle (2000), Krodh (2000), Refugee (2000), Ehsaas (2001), Ittefaq (2001), Kuch Khatti Kuch meethi (2001), Officer (2001), Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001), Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar (2001), Awaara Paagal Deewana (2002), Jaani Dushman (2002), Kaante (2002), Baaz-A Bird In Danger (2003), LOC : Kargil (2003), Qayamat (2003), Hulchul (2004), Kyon Ho Gaya Na (2004), Lakeer (2004), Main Hoon Na (2004), Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav (2004), Rakht (2004), Rudraksh (2004), Dus (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007), Cash (2007).
In the recent times Sunil Shetty is all set to give life to his new interest of retail business. He manages to take time out of his extremely busy schedule and will be introducing Brand Bollywood to the stores. He new role of an entrepreneur is sure to surprise his critics with his multi-dimensional personality. He will be opening a chain of stores having salon run by the eminent hairdressers of Bollywood and also plans to launch coffee shops, artifacts and also some cloth brands like 109F. It will be a joint venture of Sunil Shetty with the textile retailers Creative Garments and will be called Creative Crossover. This agreement is supposed to be finalized on the birthday of Sunil Shetty, which is celebrated in 11th August. The large and the small stores of this chain will be called `Crossover` and `Bollywood Se` respectively. His personal interest is also shared by another two popular stars of Bollywood film industry namely
Jackie Shroff and
Bipasha Basu who have decoded to showcase his labels at the stores. The first stored will have its inauguration in November 2007. Sunil Shetty is also planning to make a film based on 7/11 blasts in Mumbai trains. The film is titles `Little Godfather` and he says that it is his tribute to the Western Railways, which helps the people, commutes for earning their livelihood. Recently he has auditioned around 25 star kids for this film out of which he has finalized only five. The storyline in this film is actually based on a bunch of commuters traveling in first class compartments and also reflects the situation of the people when the blasts take place. This film is supposed to be directed by Joel.
The other achievements of Sunil Shetty include his television debut with the Indian version of the most popular American reality show The Biggest Looser. He has enacted the role of an anchor in this show. He says that this show is a huge hit in United States of America and other countries as well and expects the show to do well in the Indian subcontinent as well. This show is all about health, fitness and motivation. The contestants of this particular show are overweight people who lose flab under the guidance of a celebrity trainer and return back to their abode with a health body and a wealthy pocket. He is believed to make the show an instant hit not only by his bulging biceps but also for his quick wit and way of handling the audiences.
To sum up the man of extreme intelligence, talent and business brains, Sunil Shetty is indeed a name to reckon with.
